MANUFACTURING SHIPMENTS UP IN AUGUST

The value of manufacturing shipments in Saskatchewan for the month of August 2008 recorded the second highest percentage increase in the nation on a seasonally-unadjusted basis according to Statistics Canada monthly survey of manufacturers.

Saskatchewan's manufacturing shipments increased by 27.4 per cent from August 2007 (seasonally-unadjusted), the second best in the nation. Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a 32.7 per cent increase over the same period. On the national front, shipments decreased by 0.1 per cent.

"Saskatchewan continues to buck the national trend when it comes to pressure in the manufacturing sector, partly due to the diversity of the goods produced in our province, and likely due to the strength in petroleum products," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "In August, there were healthy increases in chemical manufacturing, which includes fertilizer and other products, as well as steady increases in food and machinery."

In the first eight months of 2008 manufacturing shipments in Saskatchewan increased by 20.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2007, the highest increase in the west.

On a seasonally-adjusted basis, Saskatchewan had the highest percentage increase among the provinces with a 5.7 per cent increase in shipments between July 2008 and August 2008. Across Canada, shipments fell by an average of 3.7 per cent during this period.

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: Deb.Young@gov.sk.ca