SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – A delegation of 11 UK businesses are in Saskatoon this week to explore the region for business opportunities and partnerships. The delegation is being led by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), a department of the UK Government that works with UK based businesses to develop trade and investment opportunities.
The companies on this trade mission represent several sectors from the UK including the construction, infrastructure, transportation, environmental, manufacturing and mining industries. The delegation met with the Ministry of the Economy, several local companies and toured a potash mine. The Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority Inc. (SREDA) has been involved in helping to arrange business-to-business meetings for the delegation and marketing the Saskatoon region as an ideal place to live, work and invest.
The UK delegation is part of a wider effort to increase trade and investment between Saskatchewan and the UK. In May 2013, Premier Brad Wall signed the UK-SK Action Plan aimed at increasing, amongst other things, trade and investment between SK and the UK.
Alex L. Fallon, President & Chief Executive Officer, SREDA met with these companies over the course of the week to discuss their interest in selecting the Saskatoon Region as a place to expand their business operations by partnering with local companies. “The Saskatoon Region is a great fit for companies looking to expand into the North American market, and we are always exploring new partnership opportunities for our local companies,” says Fallon. “We are very encouraged by the interest these companies are showing in doing business here.”
Just recently, the C.D. Howe Institute released a report stating that Saskatoon has a very competitive business tax environment for investment (ranked second among other large centers across Canada).
“All things considered,” says Fallon, “the Saskatoon Region is a great place to do business – the discussions that I am having with these companies are a great example of the increased interest that international companies are giving to the Saskatoon Region; they recognize the growth occurring in the region and the business opportunities that come with this economic and population growth. We are excited about the prospects of turning this interest into solid business investment into the Saskatoon Region and helping to grow the region’s economy.”