AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR VISITS SASKATCHEWAN

Provincial Secretary Donna Harpauer will meet with His Excellency Dr. Werner Brandstetter, Austrian Ambassador in Canada, during his first official visit to Saskatchewan next week. His Excellency will be in Saskatchewan August 3-5 to discuss Austria-Saskatchewan relations.

"We are honoured to host Ambassador Brandstetter and showcase Saskatchewan," Harpauer said. "Austria is an important partner within the context of our trade with the European Union. Our exports from Saskatchewan to the European Union approached $1.5 billion last year. We need to continue to explore mutually beneficial partnerships to build our province's economic strength."

Saskatchewan fully supports an ambitious Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between Canada and the European Union which, if successfully concluded, will result in improved market access and opportunities for Canadian and European businesses. Negotiations on the agreement are underway, and are scheduled for two years, to conclude in the fall of 2011.

Provinces and territories are participating, and Saskatchewan's interests are full market access for agricultural products including beef, pork, grain and oilseeds. Key exports to the European Union member countries from Saskatchewan in 2009 were uranium, wheat, lentils and oilseeds. In 2009, Saskatchewan imported approximately $500 million in machinery, pesticides, organic chemicals, iron and steel, and motor vehicles from the 27 European Union countries.

While in Saskatchewan, Ambassador Brandstetter will also meet with Deputy Premier and Finance Minister Ken Krawetz, Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco and representatives of the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP). Presentations are planned at the Petroleum Technology Research Centre and at RCMP Depot in Regina.

The Office of the Provincial Secretary works with government, organizations, and communities, to provide opportunities to celebrate and promote the diversity, character and achievements of our province and to engage diplomats and Consular Corps who visit Saskatchewan as part of government's strategy to strengthen and build regional, national and international relationships.

To learn more about the role of the Provincial Secretary, please visit www.ops.gov.sk.ca.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Nicole Fellinger
Office of the Provincial Secretary
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2687
Email: nicole.fellinger@gov.sk.ca