SASKATCHEWAN YOUTH TAKE ECONOMIC MESSAGE TO CHINA

Released on July 25, 2006

Four Saskatoon young people representing Saskatchewan next month on Junior Team Canada's (JTC) economic mission to China received a special send-off from the province today.

University of Saskatchewan students Yujin Gu, Angela Jansen, Chris Wickenhauser and Aden Bowman School Grade 12 student Chris Stoicheff will be joining 28 other young Canadians aged 16-25 who are participating in the two-week mission August 3rd-21st.

The mission is designed to show Canadian youth the impact that global trade has on economic development.

Each youth ambassador on the mission has a two-fold role: to represent his or her community and to gather market and cultural intelligence for companies and organizations in order to further promote relations between Canada and the host country. The delegation will also meet with youth leaders to hold informal discussions on such issues as human rights, education, good governance, private sector development and trade.

"With Saskatchewan exporting close to 70 per cent of its goods and services, it's clear that a wide variety of careers are built here with experience in international trade," Industry and Resources Minister Eric Cline said. "That's the message we're conveying to young people and young entrepreneurs, that they can practice global trade right here in Saskatchewan."

Various private and public sector organizations, including the Saskatchewan government and Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP), help sponsor Saskatchewan's JTC members. Successful applicants are required to raise funds through community support and corporate sponsorship.

Global Vision, the Ottawa-based, non-profit organizer of the JTC initiative, has three programs that give young Canadians export experience: Global Leaders Centres for youth to learn more about the global economy from industry leaders within their own province; JTC Economic Missions, which involve travel to foreign markets; and Global Youth Ambassador Program, which puts youth to work on local projects that will make a measurable difference to the community involved.

China is Saskatchewan's third largest major trading partner. The province exports over $400 million worth of goods and services to China. Saskatchewan expects future opportunities for export in oilseed, grass seed, malting barley and feed grains, fertilizer and pesticides, pollution control equipment and software.

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For More Information, Contact:

Bob Ellis Industry and Resources Regina Phone: (306) 787-1691 Email: rellis@ir.gov.sk.ca