ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE REPORT SETS THE STAGE FOR FUTURE GROWTH REPORTING

Enterprise Saskatchewan today released their template for monitoring and reporting on the Saskatchewan economy. Using 2008 data, the report notes that Saskatchewan was one of Canada's economic leaders in a wide range of categories.

The report, entitled "Performance Indicators for Saskatchewan's Economy" notes that Saskatchewan's economic strengths ranked among the top three provinces for 2008 in all five core performance indicators, with:

• the highest growth rate in real GDP; 
• the second-highest employment growth rate;
• the third-largest percentage gain in population; 
• the highest growth in personal disposable income (PDI) per capita; and
• the second-fastest growth rate in manufacturing.

"Our mandate at Enterprise Saskatchewan is to establish, measure, monitor and report on Saskatchewan's economy, and this is the first of what will be regular twice-yearly reports of this nature," Enterprise Saskatchewan Board Vice-Chair Gavin Semple said. "Our presentation of this report to the government does not simply show where province's economic strengths are - it also gives us a clear indication of where we need to address challenges in order to ensure continued prosperity for everyone."

"Saskatchewan had a remarkable year," Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "This report allows us to see how remarkable and to what degree Saskatchewan helped set the pace of growth for all of Canada. This also puts the first of a series of indicators in our hands from Enterprise Saskatchewan by which to guide future efforts at sustaining and developing our economy in the months and years to come."

Saskatchewan ranked among the top three provinces on more than half of the total 25 categories, which include secondary indicators covering economic performance, innovation and business environment.

The report is viewable online at www.enterprisesaskatchewan.ca.

Enterprise Saskatchewan plans to issue performance indicator reports in the spring and fall of each year, with an upcoming report on additional performance indicators for community, workforce and quality of life planned for spring 2010.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Jamie Shanks
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503