SASKATCHEWAN YOUTH ON ECONOMIC MISSION TO PERU

Saskatchewan's government and private sector are supporting three youths from Saskatoon representing the province on a Junior Team Canada (JTC) economic mission to Peru.

Gabrielle Scrimshaw, Danielle Murphy, Brian McCrea, and Tyler Nieckar will be joining 30 other young Canadians aged 16-25, on the mission which takes place August 6-20. The purpose of JTC is to build connections and gather market intelligence on behalf of Canadian businesses. The team will have access to excellent sources of information and contacts, including Trade Commissioners, ambassadors, industry representatives, the Vice President of Peru and other government officials.

"The JTC missions are an exciting springboard for talented youth to get invaluable first-hand perspectives on the international business arena," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "Doing so as representatives of Saskatchewan is even more worthwhile, given our increasing profile in the global marketplace of resources, products, ideas and talent. This program is proof to our young people that rewarding careers in world trade can be, and are, pursued right here at home."

Saskatchewan is among the most active of all Canadian provinces in international export and trade, and has deep economic ties with foreign markets. Export Development Canada forecasts that Saskatchewan will have the highest exports growth rate in Canada in 2008, at 12.7 per cent.

Each youth ambassador on the JTC missions has a two-fold role: to represent his or her community and to gather market and cultural intelligence for companies and organizations in order to further promote relations between Canada and the host country. The delegation will also hold informal discussions with youth leaders in the host countries on such issues as human rights, education, good governance and private sector development.

Various private and public sector organizations, including the Saskatchewan government, help sponsor Saskatchewan's JTC members. Successful applicants are required to raise funds through community support and corporate sponsorship.

Global Vision, the Ottawa-based, non-profit organizer of the JTC initiative, has three programs that give young Canadians export experience: Global Leaders Centres for youth to learn more about the global economy from industry leaders within their own province; JTC Economic Missions which involve travelling to foreign markets; and Global Youth Ambassador Program which puts youth to work on a local project that will make a measurable difference to the community.

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For more information, contact:

Joanne Johnson
Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: joanne.johnson@gov.sk.ca