News - National
Thousands of Colorado layoffs blamed on exports drop
Posted: Feb 11, 2010 7:27 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Feb 11, 2010 7:27 AM
State figures show Colorado exports to other countries fell nearly 25 percent last year during a global recession. The state's director of international trade, Pam Reichert, says exports fell from about $7.7 billion in 2008 to about $5.8 billion last year.
Jim Reis of the World Trade Center in Denver estimates that may have cost the state 5,000 to 6,000 jobs in manufacturing, mining and agriculture.
Export losses were spread across many categories as customers sought cheaper products, but Colorado exports of medical devices, crude oil, organic chemicals, and aircraft engines and parts rose.
The state's top export markets last year were Canada and Mexico.
Reichert and Reis say exports did improve in November and December.
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