Released on July 21, 2008
Saskatchewan has become a member of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) during the organization's 18th Annual Summit in Vancouver, which is taking place July 20-24.
PNWER is a statutory public/private partnership established in 1991. As an organization, its goals are to:
- promote greater regional collaboration;
- enhance the competitiveness of the region in both domestic and international markets;
- leverage regional influence in Ottawa and Washington D.C.; and
- achieve continued economic growth while maintaining the region's natural beauty and environment.
Other PNWER members include British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska.
"It is imperative that Saskatchewan build on its existing trading relationships and develop new ones in order to sustain and strengthen the province's current economic momentum," Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Bill Boyd said. "Joining PNWER provides an opportunity to work along side northwestern states and provinces to identify and manage challenges to present and future growth opportunities."
Membership in PNWER will afford Saskatchewan the opportunity to pursue regional interests in a variety of sectors. By working together with state governments, PNWER membership will also make it easier for Saskatchewan to engage key decision makers within the U.S. national government.
The Saskatchewan delegation at the PNWER Summit includes Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Bill Boyd, Crown Corporations Minister Ken Cheveldayoff, Highways and Infrastructure Minister Wayne Elhard and Justice Minister Don Morgan, as well as MLAs from both Government and Opposition.
More information about PNWER can be found at www.pnwer.org.
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For more information, contact:
Tyler McMurchy
Intergovernmental Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Cell: 306-537-7051