MANUFACTURING SHIPMENTS MAINTAIN UPSWING

Saskatchewan continued to lead in the west and came second nationally in manufacturing shipments according to the latest figures from Statistics Canada.

In July 2008 manufacturing shipments in Saskatchewan were up by 36.4 per cent, to $1.1 billion, compared to July 2007. This was the second-highest percentage increase among the provinces and the highest among the western provinces.

"Being at the top means that our manufacturing sector is producing high value goods that are highly desirable to buyers," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "We want to maintain this competitive economic advantage as it means increased job opportunities and keeping the economy on a roll."

The value of manufacturing shipments (seasonally-adjusted) in Saskatchewan increased by 2.8 per cent to $1.1 billion in July 2008, compared to $1.08 billion in June 2008. This was the third-highest percentage increase among the provinces.

On a year-over-year basis, Saskatchewan manufacturing shipments in July 2008 were up by 38.1 per cent from $802.7 million in July 2007 (seasonally-adjusted). This was the second-highest growth rate among the provinces and the highest among the four western provinces.

In the first seven months of 2008 manufacturing shipments in Saskatchewan totalled $7.3 billion, an increase of 18.8 per cent, compared to the same period in 2007 (the third-highest percentage increase among the provinces and the highest in the west).

In this period, the value of manufacturing shipments was down in Manitoba by 0.9 per cent and B.C. by 7.7 per cent, but was up in Alberta by 7.7 per cent. At the national level, total manufacturing shipments were $356.3 billion in the first seven months of 2008, down by 0.2 per cent from the first seven months of 2007.

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For more information, contact:

Tim Tororey
Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: tim.tororey@gov.sk.ca