Major economic summit begins in Saskatoon
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8 a.m. July 16, 2012
MAJOR ECONOMIC SUMMIT BEGINS IN SASKATOON
More than 500 government and business leaders from across the Northwestern United States and Western Canada are gathered in Saskatoon for the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) 22nd Annual Summit. The first full-day of the summit kicked off this morning and runs through July 19.
This year's annual summit celebrates The Power of Partnerships and provides both the public and private sector a unique opportunity to engage in dialogue, seek solutions to regional policy issues, and network with regional counterparts.
"As Saskatchewan's export-driven economy grows and expands, the PNWER region will continue to play a critical role in the ability to get our products - potash, crops, oil, manufactured goods - to the global marketplace," Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said. "This province understands the importance of building strong partnerships and engaging our friends and neighbours. The PNWER annual summit is an ideal forum to build those relationships to the benefit of the collective economic region and everyone in this province."
A diverse list of keynote speakers will highlight the summit, including Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, Sun News Network TV Host Ezra Levant and Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer, amongst others.
Delegate tours will showcase Saskatchewan's key industries and sectors, and working group sessions will cover a range of major regional policy issues. These issues include trade and economic development; the Beyond the Border and Regulatory Cooperation Council action plans; agriculture; and energy security.
"This region represents the eleventh-largest economy in the world with a GDP of over $1 trillion," Chief Executive Officer of PNWER Matt Morrison said. "Many of the state legislators and business leaders from the states have never been to Saskatchewan and we are excited to be able to introduce them to all that Saskatchewan has to offer."
Formed in 1991, PNWER is a non-partisan, public-private partnership that includes the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories in Canada; and the states of Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Washington and Montana in the United States.
The partnership is committed to regional collaboration, enhanced competitiveness, economic growth, and the reduction of trade and regulatory barriers.
Saskatchewan joined PNWER in 2008. This is the first opportunity the province has had to host the annual summit.
