ACTION SOUTHWEST TO HOST \"DETERMINING OUR DESTINY\" EVENT

The Action Southwest Business Networks Coalition (ASBNC) will host a regional dinner November 3rd in Shaunavon to celebrate the completion of a strategy aimed at building a world class business environment in southwest Saskatchewan.

The event, called "Determining Our Destiny," will feature speakers discussing strategies supported by the ASBNC, including Deputy Premier and Rural Development Minister Clay Serby.

The ASBNC, a broad-based regional initiative aimed at creating a united economy in southwest Saskatchewan, was initiated in November 2004. More than 120 regional and community leaders make up this economic alliance.

"When businesses plan, they determine how it is they fit in terms of the international marketplace, within which they increasingly find themselves. In rural Saskatchewan their success will be closely linked to the region's ability to compete and adapt accordingly," Serby said. "Action Southwest activities are an excellent example of communities coming together to examine their strengths and collectively determine the best course for prosperity and growth."

Action Southwest is creating partnerships across the region to encourage area businesses to share transportation, volume buying and better equip their companies to compete on a global scale. In the implementation phase, the coalition has identified 30 projects in the agribusiness, manufacturing, energy and tourism sectors.

"The ASBNC vision is to make industries in the southwest region a benchmark for the world in terms of efficiency, innovation and market growth. This vision can only be accomplished if the southwest itself becomes a world class business environment, a preferred location for business to set up, invest, export from, and employ from," ASBNC project co-ordinator Sandra Blyth said. "It is clear that industry itself must take the lead in changing their operations, competing for market share and growing their businesses."

The following organizations partnered with the ASBNC to fund this event: Saskatchewan Rural Development, Cypress Hills Regional Economic Development Authority, Southwest Regional Economic Development Authority, Red Coat Regional Economic Development Authority, Action Swift Current, Western Economic Diversification Canada, International Trade Canada, Southwest Community Futures Development Corporation, Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services, South West Centre for Entrepreneurial Development and Southwest TV News.

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For More Information, Contact:

Donna Rehirchuk Rural Development Regina Phone: (306) 787-2359