ENTERPRISE SASKATCHEWAN RELEASES MID-YEAR PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2009-10

Enterprise Saskatchewan has released a public report on its progress at the mid-year point in its second year of operations as the province's agency responsible for economic development.

The progress report covers the period from April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009 and provides details on the 22 recommendations made by the Enterprise Saskatchewan Board to the provincial government.

"As with our previous Progress Report released last year, this provides a clear and public update of our agency's activities and recommendations toward removing barriers to economic growth," Board Vice Chair Gavin Semple said. "This province believes very strongly in not resting on our past accomplishments, but instead pressing the advantage wherever it may be found. This report shows our work in this regard and - on behalf of my fellow board members and everyone at Enterprise Saskatchewan - I can say I am very pleased with the results."

Competitive taxes, labour market strategy, regulatory modernization and the enablement of economic participation by First Nations and Métis people are among the board's priorities and recommendations outlined in the report.

"These have been interesting times for Saskatchewan and its businesses, and the people behind them," Enterprise Saskatchewan Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "Enterprise Saskatchewan is an organization designed from the ground up to address exactly these kinds of challenges, overcome them, and find opportunities or create them outright. In its second year, this agency is already proving its worth and we can see the results for ourselves."

The Progress Report is viewable online at http://www.enterprisesaskatchewan.ca/Sept09ProgRept.

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For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: jamie.shanks@enterprisesask.ca