Released on August 1, 2008
The Enterprise Saskatchewan Act formalizing Enterprise Saskatchewan (ES), the new special operating Agency for managing and directing the province's present and future economic growth, has been officially proclaimed.
With the proclamation, the Agency's ongoing process of organization and establishment has reached another significant milestone and is nearing completion. The process has already seen the formation of the ES (Interim Advisory) Board who held their inaugural meeting on March 31, and who will now be converted to the founding Board under the new Act.
"Our province is experiencing one of the most remarkable periods of growth and prosperity in its history, and we need the right engine to sustain and build on its momentum," Enterprise and Innovation Minister Lyle Stewart said. "Enterprise Saskatchewan is that engine. It will take government out of the economic development equation as much as possible and put our business and industry stakeholders in the driver's seat where they belong."
Enhanced coordination of existing economic policies and activities is one of Enterprise Saskatchewan's central goals, as well as making new recommendations to create and support growth. Recently the Agency has concentrated on establishing its operating structure, allowing it to commence studies and assessments of various economic development opportunities and issues as part of its mandate.
"We are very excited about what is happening in Saskatchewan, but we're even more excited about the potential that lies ahead for the people and businesses of this province," Enterprise Saskatchewan Deputy Chair Gavin Semple said. "We are setting the economic pace in Canada, and the time is right for a new approach to responsible decision-making and pushing our competitive envelope in innovative ways."
With the proclamation of the Act, the transfer of personnel to the Agency from the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation will now occur formally as the new special operating Agency continues to develop.
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For more information, contact:
Joanne Johnson
Enterprise and Innovation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1691
Email: joanne.johnson@gov.sk.ca