NEW YORK OFFICE CLOSED

Deputy Premier and Economic Development Minister Dwain Lingenfelter
today confirmed the department's New York office has been closed as of
Dec. 31, 1996.

"Strong export industry synergies have been made possible by the launch
of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)," Lingenfelter
said. "The United States remains a major Saskatchewan trading partner,
but most of our U.S. trade activity is along a north-south corridor and
is being managed very effectively by STEP through its manager in charge
of that area and through STEP's members who have considerable expertise
in that market.

"We have also developed excellent export development partnerships with
the federal government. There are Canadian embassies and consulates in
every country, and STEP and Saskatchewan exporters have been receiving
outstanding co-operation, service and support from them."

The decision will save $400,000 per year which will be allocated toward
development of export readiness in Saskatchewan's food processing
industry.

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For more information, contact:

Clare Kirkland
Economic Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-9580