Commerce Secretary stresses rising exports amid economy woes

Georgia Ports Authority Chairman Steve Green, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and U.S. Congressman Jack Kingston at the port's Garden City terminal.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez visited the Port of Savannah today in a bid to reassure Georgians about the economy and push for a Columbian trade deal.

The gloomy economic picture has flattened imports at the nation's fourth-busiest port, but exports are setting records, in part because of the weak dollar. In Georgia, the transportation equipment, chemical and machinery sectors are selling more overseas. The Secretary stressed those numbers at a dockside press conference.

"Exports are over 12% of our G.D.P., the first time it's ever been that big, $1.6 billion of exports last year," Gutierrez said. "This year we're on track to exceed that. Through May our exports are up 18%."

Gutierrez said, the export numbers point to the need to pass a trade deal with Columbia, stalled in Congress. He also got a briefing on a harbor expansion project and toured Gulfstream Aerospace, one of those companies boosting exports and jobs.