SASKATCHEWAN CITIES MAINTAIN COMPETITIVE EDGE

KPMG released its 2010 Competitive Alternatives Study today that ranks Saskatchewan's four major cities in the top 20 per cent of a 112 city comparison.

In the overall city rankings, Moose Jaw was 11th, Regina 12th, Prince Albert 13th and Saskatoon 21st among all the 112 cities included in the study.

"Saskatchewan cities remain very competitive when it comes to the cost of doing business," Enterprise Saskatchewan Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "This study will be very useful in our efforts to attract new investment and business to the province."

As part of the larger international comparison, Saskatoon had a six per cent cost advantage over the baseline score, which represents average costs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Canada ranked second best on a national basis, behind first place Mexico. This was a slight improvement over the 2008 study. Canada now has a five per cent advantage over the American baseline as compared to two per cent in 2008.

"Our government wants to make sure we remain competitive when it comes to business costs, and today's report indicates we are on the right track," Cheveldayoff said. "We want to maintain our competitive edge that will help Saskatchewan continue to be one of the most successful economies in Canada and around the world."

The 2010 KPMG survey was based on information collected in a six-month period ending in mid-2009 in partnership with the private sector and provincial and civil governments. The study covered 10 countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: Deb.Young@enterprisesask.ca