TEAM SASKATCHEWAN TO PROMOTE INVESTMENT ATTRACTION

Team Saskatchewan, a new force of business, community and government leaders, will be travelling to key North American centres to promote the province, starting in June.

Premier Lorne Calvert today formally launched the initiative, first announced in the Throne Speech. Team Saskatchewan will involve co-ordinated economic development missions by private and public sector partners to promote the province, its key economic sectors, its business investment possibilities and its tourism attractions, particularly heading into the Centennial.

"We're having great success through the Our Future is Wide Open campaign spreading the story of Saskatchewan's business successes and economic momentum right across the country," Calvert said. "But we need to do more to promote Saskatchewan to the rest of Canada and the world, and government cannot, and should not, tell that story alone."

Team Saskatchewan will have a core membership comprised of mayors, prominent business people, leaders of key community and cultural organizations and representatives from regional economic development authorities (REDAs).

Business trips will be tied, where possible, to major economic sector trade shows. The first of these is BIO 2003, a biotechnology industry convention in Washington, D.C. June 21st-25th.

"Business and community leaders have told me they want to help us in our long-term efforts to change attitudes about, and increase awareness of, Saskatchewan across the country," Calvert said. "This concept is similar to our Team Canada and STEP missions abroad, but in this case, we're marketing more than just our exports, we're marketing our entire province and its wide-open future."

"The Team Saskatchewan initiative will work well with the Saskatoon Shines approach to aggressively recruit new businesses and investment to Saskatoon and area," Saskatoon Mayor Jim Maddin said. "I look forward to working with the Premier and other business leaders in selling the Saskatchewan advantage to the world."

"Our community has embraced the "I Love Regina" initiative because we believe in our future," Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "Team Saskatchewan builds on that same spirit, reaching across the province and beyond."

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306)787-8277