Figures released last week by the Saskatchewan government show the province's manufacturing sales market is on the rebound.

In a year-over-year comparison from February 2016 to February 2017, the province's manufacturing sales increased by 22.7 per cent. This rise was the second highest percentage increase among the provinces and significantly higher than the national average of 6.8 per cent.

"We've experienced all of that (22.7 per cent increase) and even a little bit more in the recent past," Al Marques General Manager for S3 Manufacturing and S3 Blowers in Swift Current said. "Even in the last three to five weeks, we've seen that increase in our overall business and also in the inquiries levels too."

Saskatchewan's monthly manufacturing sales increase was 0.4 per cent, when compared to January 2017, ranking third among the provinces and second in western Canada.

"When you look at some of the negatives that have been influencing the local marketplace, things like a carbon tax, especially how it would potentially impact the agriculture sector moving forward," Marques said. "I think this (increase in manufacturing sales) is a tremendous positive. I think this refreshes and renews confidence in the local economy, local marketplaces and especially with local manufacturing."

Marques added they're hoping the strong manufacturing sales numbers will continue on an upward trend into the fall and winter months.

Chemical manufacturing led the way as Saskatchewan's largest increase on an annual basis rising 21.7 per cent, followed by food manufacturing at 19.1 per cent and wood manufacturing at 16.9 per cent.