SASKATCHEWAN TO CELEBRATE SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Deputy Premier and Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Clay Serby today proclaimed the week of October 15th to 21st as Small Business Week in Saskatchewan.

"Saskatchewan's regions depend on small businesses," Serby said. "They serve the region's needs, launch economic activity, and create employment. They are the foundation for strong, vibrant communities, and exemplify the province's entrepreneurial spirit at its best."

The Province provides support to small businesses through a number of programs, many of which are delivered in partnership with public and private sectors, including Regional Economic Development Authorities and Western Economic Diversification with the Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre.

In addition, the 2006-07 provincial budget invested $95.3 million to improve Saskatchewan's business tax competitiveness, and increased the small business threshold from $300,000 to $500,000 by 2008. These measures will help attract and stimulate capital investments and create jobs and opportunities for youth.

Saskatchewan's 38,000 small businesses account for 95 per cent of total businesses in the province, and employ more than one-third of Saskatchewan's working population. Small businesses operate in all sectors of the economy, from agriculture to leading edge technology, manufacturing and retail.

Many large businesses in the province are a product of local home-grown entrepreneurship and small business ventures. More than 70 per cent of new jobs in Saskatchewan come from new and growing small businesses. In recent years, these small, local, independent operations have been the growth firms in the province.

"Small, independent merchants are at the heart of every Saskatchewan community, big or small, rural or urban," Retail Council of Canada's Director of Government Relations and Member Services in Saskatchewan Lanny McInnes said. "Small merchants make a huge contribution to their communities and to their province as community leaders and builders. Retail Council of Canada joins in saluting all of Saskatchewan's independent merchants during Small Business Week."

Small Business Week will be celebrated at special events in various communities throughout Saskatchewan.

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For More Information, Contact:

Donna Rehirchuk Regional Economic and Co-operative Development Regina Phone: (306) 787-2359