After growing 12 percent last year, Washington's merchandise exports rose 38.7 percent in the first six months of this year, according to state figures.

If this growth continues, the state will easily surpass its old export record set back in 1998. That year our exports hit $38.2 billion, and after several leaner years they recovered to $37.9 billion in 2005. With a sustained growth rate of more than 30 percent, the state could easily see its merchandise exports exceed $45 billion for 2006 as a whole.

The growth places Washington State solidly as the fourth largest merchandise exporter in the nation, after Texas, California and New York. We surpassed the nation's average exports growth of 14 percent, and were one of only five states with growth rates over 30 percent.

The largest growth was in exports of aircraft, spacecraft and parts thereof, with a 62 percent increase over 2005. Boeing is coming back in full force, and with the start of deliveries of the new 787 and 777 long range models over the next few years, there is no reason to believe that Boeing's foreign sales will abate soon.