The United States has eased regulations on the export of strategic supplies to its 36 allied nations including South Korea.

With the revised regulations announced Thursday local time, the U.S. is expected to see export growth of one-point-four billion dollars annually.

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke first proposed the loosening of export controls on sales to U.S. allies in October 2009. He said the new exemption rule will help spur U.S. exports.