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Industry Profiles :: International Trade International Trade Alaska is one of the most trade-oriented states in America, and international trade is big business in Alaska. In 2002, Alaska's worldwide, commodity exports hit $2.5 billion, about a four percent increase over the previous year. Exports bring new money into the local economy, and they support the jobs of many thousands of Alaskans. With only a small local market and a larger, but limited, market in the Lower 48, it is the overseas markets that enable the state's most important industries to be of the size and significance they are today. Examples include seafood exports to Asia, LNG to Japan, and minerals to Canada and Europe. Investment in Alaska often accompanies export sales. Large investments in Alaska by international companies have helped to establish and maintain significant infrastructure that, in turn, fuels export sales. Most notably in the oilfield sector, the export of services into markets abroad has grown significantly. The technology, experience and capacity of Alaskan service companies are world-class and often unique. Designing, developing, installing and commissioning massive production units, advanced drilling technologies, surface and sub-surface pipeline construction technologies, operation and maintenance of sophisticated production and transportation systems – these and more fall within the capacity of companies operating in Alaska. Their uniqueness comes from the ability to productively perform in climactic conditions among the most challenging in the world and in meeting the challenges of logistics in an area with Spartan infrastructure one-fifth the size of the continental United States. While Alaska companies are exporting to more than 50 countries, most of our products go to a few markets, with Japan retaining the number one customer position accounting for over 40 percent of all commodity exports. Japan bought over $700 million worth of seafood from Alaska in 2002 and over $200 million in energy, mostly liquified natural gas. Add in Japan's purchase of minerals and forest products and it is a billion dollar plus customer of Alaska. Korea's economic strength kept that country firmly in second place as an active buyer of Alaska's seafood, fertilizer and minerals. In third place, Canada has proven to be a vigorous buyer of minerals, seafood and timber, totaling around six percent of the state's exports. Germany and China round out the top five trading partner positions. Seafood is Alaska's leading export commodity. In 2002, seafood exports jumped to $1.3 billion, a strong increase of 12 percent over the previous year. Seafood exports to Germany remained strong, at almost $100 million, mostly on the strength of Pollock sales. Minerals exports, totaling $308 million, were up in 2002 by over 15 percent, locking that sector into second place by value. Although crude oil cargoes are no longer exported to markets abroad, steady exports of LNG to Japan, coupled with exports of value-added refined petroleum products, placed energy commodities in third place with a value of $280 million. Transportation links are important to Alaska's international business. New marine service linking Alaska to Canada and Asia has been established. Plans are underway to greatly expand the Port of Anchorage. With its central geographical location on the direct air routes between the continental U.S. the Asia Pacific and Europe, Alaska's international airports continue to develop as major air cargo hubs for nearly 40 U.S. and foreign carriers. More all-cargo, wide-body aircraft move through Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport than any other facility in the United States. The majority of all trans-Pacific freighter service comes through Anchorage. Fairbanks International Airport also has significant international air cargo activity, including service to Europe. “International trade is a very important part of Alaska's economy – more so than many other states. My goal is to increase exports. Doing so means better paying jobs for Alaskans and a more robust economy,” said Governor Frank Murkowski. Key Contacts State of Alaska Division of Trade & Development 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1770 Anchorage, Alaska (AK) 99501 Tel: (907) 465-2500 Fax: (907) 269-8125 www.state.ak.us Alaska Export Assistance Center U.S. Department of Commerce 550 W. 7th Ave., Ste. 1770 Anchorage, AK 99501 Tel: (907) 271-6237 Fax:(907) 271-6242 www.alaska.net/~export Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Ron Miller, Executive Director 813 W. Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage, Alaska (AK) 99503 Tel: (907) 269-3000 Fax: (907) 269-3044 World Trade Center Alaska Robin L. Richardson, Executive Director 1007 West 3rd Avenue, Suite 200 Anchorage, Alaska (AK) 99501 Tel: (907) 278.7233 Fax: (907) 278-2982 www.wtcak.org/ U.S. Department of Commerce Charles F. Becker, Director Alaska Export Assistance Center, U.S., Commercial Services 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1770 Anchorage, AK 99501 Tel: (907) 271-6237 Fax: (907) 271-6242 Top of Page Juneau Headquarters: 217 Second Street, Suite 201, Juneau, AK 99801 Phone: 907.586.2323, Fax: 907.463.5515, Email: info@alaskachamber.com Anchorage Office: 601 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 700, Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: 907.278.2722, Fax: 907.278.6643 Copyright © 2003 - Present. The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, all rights reserved. Designed by WebWeavers Technology Group LLC™ |
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