Released on October 11, 1996
Deputy Premier and Economic Development Minister Dwain Lingenfeltertoday said Small Business Week in Saskatchewan, Oct. 20 to 26, is an
excellent opportunity to emphasize the importance of small business to
our province.
"Nothing showcases the enterprising and innovative nature of
Saskatchewan people better than the many small businesses that are the
backbone of our provincial economy," Lingenfelter said. "Small
businesses -- those with fewer than 50 employees -- make up more than
90 per cent of our non-agricultural private firms.
"Saskatchewan small businesses are globally competitive and they're
pushing the frontiers of technology and innovative business practices.
In many cases, our small businesses are challenging successfully for
markets on the same playing field as competitors many times their
size."
The minister said Partnership for Growth recognizes the crucial role
played by small business, and supports its growth and development by
encouraging a climate of investment and growth, and by targeting
specific programs to assist development of new businesses and growth of
existing ones.
Lingenfelter outlined some of the government's commitments to small
business contained in the strategy as follows:
reducing the number of government regulations by 25 per cent over
the next 10 years;
creating an awareness among young people about the option of
going into business for themselves;
a tax review;
development of a small business action plan;
making Regional Economic Development Authorities (REDAs) the
focal point for development in their areas;
a fiscal plan calling for ongoing balanced budgets and debt
reduction; and
development of a one-stop business registration system that will
allow businesses to register with many agencies at one time.
Small business support also includes targeted initiatives such as the
Small Business Loans Association program, which in the year to date has
provided loans of $25,000 to $50,000 totalling more than $1.5 million
to 331 new and expanding small businesses throughout Saskatchewan,
creating or maintaining more than 800 jobs.
The federal-provincial Partnership Agreement on Rural Development
(PARD) provides assistance to rural communities, groups and
entrepreneurs to plan businesses, study markets, attend entrepreneurial
training sessions, or obtain product certification. In 1995-96, the
PARD initiative provided more than $1.5 million in economic development
assistance to 147 projects in rural Saskatchewan.
In addition, the Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre in
Saskatoon supports and encourages business development in Saskatchewan
by using 1-800 numbers to provide single-window information on
government programs, services, regulations, contacts and activities
tailored to meet business needs.
"Our grassroots REDA approach and targeted support programs are helping
small businesses and communities all over Saskatchewan to take
advantage of specific economic opportunities in their regions,"
Lingenfelter said. "Saskatchewan small businesses are excelling in
every sector from agriculture and agricultural biotechnology, to energy
and mining, tourism and cultural industries, information technology and
forestry.
"Our aim is to support the diversification of the provincial economy
through the continued prosperity and expansion of small businesses
located in every region of the province."
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For more information contact:
Debbie Wilkie
Economic Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-7982