WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WEEK RECOGNIZED

Released on May 3, 2001

Saskatchewan businesswomen contribute substantially to the provincial

economy 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