CLINE AND TEAM SASKATCHEWAN TO PROMOTE PROVINCE IN EUROPE

Released on September 3, 2004

Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline and Team Saskatchewan will be in Europe September 6th - 18th on a wide-ranging mission to promote investment opportunities in the province.

Cline will be joined by a delegation of private and public sector leaders to promote Saskatchewan's leading-edge expertise in life sciences and mining and new capabilities in synchrotron science during stops in Belgium, England, Germany and France.

"Saskatchewan companies and institutions have long-established market relationships in Europe, and this mission is designed to further advance those connections," Cline said. "Our Team Saskatchewan members will help showcase the province's research and industrial excellence in key economic sectors, and will assist us in discussing trade opportunities and dealing with trade concerns."

A key part of the mission is ABIC 2004, a life sciences conference in Cologne, Germany. Cline will open the conference as well as speak on the importance of life sciences in Saskatchewan. He will also deliver a keynote address on investment opportunities to the German Chamber of Commerce.

Cline will also be the keynote speaker at the World Nuclear Association Symposium in London. Saskatchewan is the world's largest producer of uranium.

The mission will include meetings with diamond and base metal mining companies and mining supply companies, discussions around nanotechnology opportunities, and a meeting with the European Space Agency -- a major purchaser of Saskatchewan information technology services.

Cline will also meet with members of the European Commission in Brussels to discuss Saskatchewan trade issues around BSE, beef hormone bans, the Canadian Wheat Board and Saskatoon berries.

Joining Cline on the Team Saskatchewan mission are representatives from the Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) Inc., the University of Saskatchewan, Foragen Inc., Ag-West Bio Inc., the National Research Council, Performance Plants, and McDougall Gauley.

"This mission will represent a concerted effort by business, the University of Saskatchewan and the province in the promotion of Saskatchewan as a competitive location for investment," SREDA Chief Executive Officer Ted Mitchell said. "In addition to our executive level corporate meetings, the ABIC conference in Germany will also provide opportunities to exchange information with expanding biotech companies."

"This is an excellent opportunity to showcase Saskatchewan's research expertise, particularly with the Canadian Light Source, our country's first synchrotron, opening next month," University of Saskatchewan Vice-President of Research Steven Franklin said. "We invite the world to discover our unique cluster of research tools and talent, a combination that is yielding advances in environmental protection, medical science, and new materials."

The Team Saskatchewan concept involves coordinated 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. Since the initiative was unveiled in May 2003, a number of Team Saskatchewan missions have been undertaken, focusing on biotechnology (Washington, D.C.), aerospace (Montreal), forestry (Quebec City) and manufacturing (Toronto).

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691