LINGENFELTER TO SUPPORT STEP, SASKATCHEWAN COMPANIES IN WASHINGTON, DC

Released on June 6, 1997

Deputy Premier and Economic and Co-operative Development Minister

Dwain Lingenfelter will lead a Saskatchewan Trade and Export

Partnership (STEP) delegation in a series of meetings with the World

Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC June

11-13. The meetings will support Saskatchewan companies in marketing

their services and products to the international financial

institutions.



"We've been actively marketing Saskatchewan as a source of technology

and expertise for project opportunities in developing countries,"

Lingenfelter said.



"Since the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank finance

hundreds of major infrastructure and industry development projects

every year, these meetings will provide a tremendous opportunity to

make these international financial institutions aware of

Saskatchewan's many strengths and capabilities in the fields of

agriculture, environment, health, transportation, education and

infrastructure services."



The STEP delegation includes:



Clifton Associates, a Regina engineering firm with extensive

international experience;



International Road Dynamics, Saskatoon, a designer and

manufacturer of "intelligent transportation systems" and

toll road technologies;



Trimension Consulting Group, a Saskatoon company with

extensive experience in Canadian International Development

agency projects in Asia;



Parax Development International, Saskatoon, interested in

environmental projects in India;



Canada Livestock Services, Marsden, a leading Canadian

exporter of livestock genetics, technology and training;



Terrestrial and Aquatic Environmental Managers, a Saskatoon

company specializing in environmental impact assessments and

related action plans;



Crestline, a Saskatoon manufacturer of ambulances and

emergency vehicles;



Uranerz Exploration and Mining, Saskatoon, a world leader in

mining development;



University of Regina, interested in related technical and

vocational training opportunities;



Saskatchewan Opportunities Corporation, a Crown corporation

that provides investment and development services for

economic development; and,



SaskPower, a Crown utility with extensive electrical

infrastructure services expertise.



"The international financial institutions represent significant

opportunities for Saskatchewan companies," STEP CEO Milt Fair

said. "Canada has been doing very well at winning development

contracts and this mission is part of a strategic approach to

make sure Saskatchewan gets its share. We have asked the Deputy

Premier to accompany the delegation to strengthen its profile,

reinforce the message of Saskatchewan's capabilities and help

build relationships with the international financial

institutions."



Lingenfelter said he plans to emphasize Saskatchewan's economic

and business strengths, including the province's straight A

credit rating and economic performance that led all the provinces

in 1996 with a 3.3 per cent increase in gross domestic product,

more than double the national average of 1.5 per cent.

Saskatchewan's May, 1997 unemployment rate was 5.6, the lowest in

the country and employment in the province grew by 14,700 jobs

since May 1996.



While in Washington, the Deputy Premier will meet with Canadian

Ambassador Raymond Chretien to discuss Saskatchewan's perspective

and priorities regarding Canada-United States relations. He will

also deliver a keynote address at a breakfast meeting of the

Canada-America Business Council, an organization of senior U.S.

business executives who already have or are looking to establish

or expand business and commerce relationships in Canada.



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For more information, contact:



Karen Schmidt Milt Fair

Economic & Co-operative Development STEP

Regina Regina

Phone: (306) 787-1691 Phone: (306) 787-9210