SASKATCHEWAN’S INTERNATIONAL EXPORTS #1 IN CANADA

Saskatchewan's economic connections with robust global markets are putting it in the top spot in the nation for international exports, new figures from Statistics Canada show.

In the first seven months of 2008, Saskatchewan's international exports of goods increased by 49.5 per cent, to $17.5 billion, compared to the first seven months of 2007. This was the highest growth rate among the provinces and was more than 10 times the national average for total exports in the first seven months of 2008, which was up by 4 per cent from the first seven months of 2007.

"Saskatchewan's economy continues to crank out phenomenal numbers, and in this case they are particularly significant," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "We have always been a province of exporters and in today's global marketplace our province's businesses are showing they have what it takes to not only survive but to prosper more than anywhere else in Canada."

Comparing July 2008 with July 2007, Saskatchewan again had the highest growth rate in international exports of goods among the provinces with international exports of goods increasing in July 2008 by 69.1 per cent, to $2.85 billion, compared to July 2007 (seasonally-unadjusted).

For Canada as a whole, international exports were up by 18.8 per cent in July 2008, compared to July 2007.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: jamie.shanks@gov.sk.ca