Released on October 26, 2017
Premier Brad Wall presented the Saskatchewan Distinguished Service Award to agricultural entrepreneur Huseyin Arslan, the executive chairman of AGT Foods and Ingredients today.
“Huseyin has played a pivotal role in the transformation of Saskatchewan agriculture by investing in our province to create one of the world’s largest pulse processing firms,” Wall said. “His hard work, dedication and vision have resulted in a Saskatchewan-based company that now operates 47 facilities on five different continents and employs more than 450 staff here in Saskatchewan, while opening new markets for thousands of the province’s farmers.”
Mr. Arslan has been involved in the global pulses industry and staple foods business for more than 30 years. He was one of the founding shareholders of Saskcan Pulse Trading, which went on to become AGT Food and Ingredients.
“Pulses now represent an estimated $1 billion industry in Saskatchewan, and our province has evolved into one of the leading producers of lentils, peas and chickpeas in the world,” Wall said. “Huseyin’s original investment in Saskatchewan and his ongoing commitment to the industry has been crucial to the creation of a healthy pulse production and processing industry in Saskatchewan.”
The Saskatchewan Distinguished Service Award recognizes non-residents of the province who have made outstanding contributions to Saskatchewan and the development of the province’s economy, culture and society.
Nominations for the Saskatchewan Distinguished Service Award may be proposed by any ministry, agency or Crown corporation of the Government of Saskatchewan, or authority in which the government is a direct partner.
Including Mr. Arslan, 24 non-residents have received the award since its inception in 1997. He received his recognition at a special ceremony at Government House.
For more information on the Saskatchewan Distinguished Service Award and the Saskatchewan Honours and Awards Program, please visit www.saskatchewan.ca/honoursawards.
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For more information, contact:
Lauren Golosky
Intergovernmental Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: lauren.golosky@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-520-7420