The Saskatchewan Government is recognizing Business Development Bank of Canada Small Business Week happening October 18-22.

The week celebrates the important contributions of small businesses to Saskatchewan's economy.

Small businesses are classified as having less than 50 employees, and are a source of quality jobs that account for 99% of the almost 150,000 business enterprises in the province.

In 2020 small businesses employed 30% of Saskatchewan's workers and paid out almost 6.8 billion dollars in wages, which was 25% of the province's total payroll.

Trade and Export Minister, Jeremy Harrison, said, "Small businesses are active in virtually every sector of the economy, providing vital jobs, products and services, which often turn into the kind of success that grows an economy and a province."

The number of small businesses in the province has grown from 95,066 in 2010, to 146,016 in 2020, a 54% increase.