Washington, D.C.—The U.A.E. ranked 21st among top U.S. export destinations and remains the single largest export market for American goods in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region according to 2010 U.S. export statistics from the Foreign Trade Division of the U.S. Census Bureau.

The statistics, released February 11th, provide empirical evidence that total U.S. exports have increased in the last year in response to President Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and in spite of the continued weakness of the global economy.

In total, the U.S. exported $11.64 billion worth of goods to the U.A.E. in 2010, a very modest 4.7 percent decline over 2009 levels, and one of the smallest decreases in any U.S. export market.

Consistent with past years, every state in the U.S. as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands exported goods to the U.A.E. in 2010 with a majority of states increasing their exports from 2009 levels.  New Mexico enjoyed a 412 percent increase, New Hampshire saw a 373 percent increase, and Pennsylvania a 212 percent increase in exports to the U.A.E. year-on-year.  Texas, California and New York comprised the top three exporters to the U.A.E. for 2010 with $1.78 billion, $1.36 billion, and $1.1 billion of exports, respectively.

The U.A.E. was the District of Columbia’s largest export destination with Transportation Equipment accounting for 40.3 percent of the District’s total exports to the U.A.E, followed closely by Fabricated Metal Products at 35.3 percent.  Overall, the District’s exports to the U.A.E. increased nearly 43 percent over 2009 levels.

The new trade figures indicate a robust trade relationship between the two countries consisting primarily of transportation equipment, computer technology, machinery, and chemicals which were the largest U.S. exports to the U.A.E.  A number of sectors saw strong growth over their 2009 levels with plastics and rubber products rising 48.8 percent; electrical equipment, appliances and components increasing nearly 30 percent; computer electronic product exports rising nearly 25 percent; and chemical exports rising 16.8 percent.  Transportation exports, meanwhile, declined 23.5 percent and machinery (excluding electrical) declined 23.2 percent.

“These statistics clearly illustrate America’s role as a strategic and commercial partner to the U.A.E. as the country works to diversify its economy,” said Danny Sebright, President of the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council. “The American business community will continue to explore new avenues of commercial partnership with the U.A.E. in the coming years as both countries seek to realize their economic objectives.”

With its business-friendly regulations, strong investment incentives, economic diversification ambitions, and ideal geographic location, the U.A.E. remains a key export market for U.S. companies in the year ahead.

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The Top 10 U.S. states exporting to the U.A.E. in 2010 accounted for 66.3% of the total U.S. exports to the U.A.E.:

1. Texas- $1.78 Billion
2. California- $1.36 Billion
3. New York- $1.1 Billion
4. Washington- $962 Million
5. Florida- $499.1 Million
6. Pennsylvania- $434.4 Million
7. District of Columbia- $428.8 Million
8. New Jersey- $418.7 Million
9. Georgia- $376.4 Million
10. Tennessee- $356.4 Million