Georgia exports down slightly, still worth nearly $15 billion

ATLANTA - Officials said Wednesday that despite a decrease of two percent in overall exports compared with the previous year, Georgia&#39;s exports in 2001 reached $14.6 billion and helped the state move up in the national rank. <br> <br> Georgia ranked 15th in the country in exports, up from 16th last year, according to a report issued by the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism. <br> <br> Commissioner R.K. Sehgal said some export segments, such as computers and electronics, increased in spite of a slow global economy. <br> <br> Sehgal also said an increase in exports to Canada, Georgia&#39;s largest trading partner, helped boost the numbers. Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Germany make up the state&#39;s other top trading partners. <br> <br> Georgia companies exported $456 million in computer and electronics equipment to Canada in 2001, a 70 percent increase over the year before. <br> <br> Transportation equipment, including airplanes, car parts and golf carts, make up the state&#39;s largest export segment. A state spokesman said Georgia exported nearly $2.2 billion in transportation equipment in 2001. Computer and electronics were second with nearly $1.9 billion.