Kentucky’s export business appears to be moving along at a good pace. The latest figures from the U.S. Department of Commerce show the state’s merchandise exports grew nearly eight percent in the first half of 2012. The ten point seven billion dollars in exports breaks the previous record of almost ten billion dollars set in the first half of 2011. Merchandise exports include transportation equipment, chemicals, machinery, computer and electronic products, and electrical equipment. Kentucky’s export growth in the motor vehicle and parts sector as well as that seen in the bourbon industry were particularly strong.