Released on May 3, 2001
Saskatchewan businesswomen contribute substantially to the provincialeconomy and those contributions will be highlighted during Women
Entrepreneurs Week, May 3rd-9th.
More women than ever before are expanding their employment opportunities by
operating their own businesses. In Saskatchewan, approximately 25 per cent
of all businesses are owned by women, and they provide pay cheques for
nearly 90,000 people.
"Women entrepreneurs are key participants in our economy and they are
changing our business community through their ideas, their dedication and
their enthusiam," Economic and Co-operative Development Minister Eldon
Lautermilch said. "Women are starting businesses at twice the rate of men,
and for women entrepreneurs under 30, the rate is an astonishing four times
that of men."
"Starting a new business takes a lot of courage, tenacity and hard work,"
Minister Responsible for the Status of Women Doreen Hamilton said. "These
qualities are nothing new to business people or to women. Over the past
few decades, women have forged new pathways and taken on many new and
challenging roles in society."
The week kicks off with the annual conference of the Women Entrepreneurs of
Saskatchewan May 3rd-5th in Saskatoon. The federally funded, non-profit
organization fosters business development among women. Over the past five
years, Women Entrepreneurs has loaned more than $4 million to new and
existing businesses, which has resulted in the creation of over 300 full-
time jobs.
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For more information, contact:
Bob Ellis
Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1691