Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership

Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
Name	Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership
Abbreviation	STEP
Formation	1993
Type	Non-profit; Industry association
Headquarters	Saskatoon, Regina
Region served	Saskatchewan
Leader title	CEO

Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership

The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership is a provincial non-profit industry association dedicated to promoting international trade and export development for businesses based in Saskatchewan. The organization works with provincial agencies, federal departments, and private sector partners to expand market access for producers of agriculture-related goods, mining inputs, and manufactured products. STEP operates programs spanning market intelligence, trade missions, and export training to support small and large firms engaged with regions such as Asia-Pacific, European Union, and United States markets.

History

STEP was established in 1993 during a period of regional restructuring following policy shifts by the Government of Saskatchewan and national trade policy developments including the Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement and the North American Free Trade Agreement. Early work connected Saskatchewan firms with commodity buyers involved in wheat and canola markets, and expanded during the 2000s amid rising demand from China and India. STEP has adapted through global events such as the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, redirecting activities toward supply chain resilience and digital export services. Over time STEP engaged with multilateral initiatives reflected by interactions with agencies like Global Affairs Canada and provincial bodies such as Saskatchewan Ministry of Trade and Export Development.

Organization and Governance

STEP is governed by a board comprising representatives from key sectors including Saskatchewan Federation of Labour-affiliated stakeholders, commodity groups like the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, and industry associations such as Mining Association of Saskatchewan. The executive team liaises with federal counterparts including Export Development Canada and provincial Crown corporations such as Saskatchewan Trade and Export Development Corporation. Corporate governance follows non-profit standards comparable to organizations like Business Council of Saskatchewan and collaborates with academic institutions including University of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Polytechnic for research and training. Funding and oversight mechanisms involve partnerships with entities such as PrairiesCan and conformity with statutes overseen by the Province of Saskatchewan.

Programs and Services

STEP provides services including market intelligence reports, export readiness assessments, and trade missions similar to programs run by Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. It delivers sector-specific seminars drawing on expertise from the Canadian Cattlemen's Association, the Canadian Canola Growers Association, and the Canadian Pork Council. STEP coordinates participation in trade shows like PRODEXPO and region-focused missions to trade hubs such as Shanghai and Rotterdam. Training offerings include export documentation workshops, buyer-seller matchmaking, and supply chain risk management with content informed by partners such as Canadian International Trade Tribunal and World Trade Organization frameworks.

Membership and Stakeholders

STEP's membership spans small and medium-sized enterprises, large agribusinesses, mining suppliers, and service exporters connected to organizations like Viterra, Nutrien, and Cameco. Stakeholders include commodity organizations like the Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission, indigenous business groups such as the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, and municipal economic development offices in Prince Albert and Moose Jaw. Collaborative ties extend to financial institutions including Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal for export financing, and logistics partners like Canadian National Railway and Port of Vancouver.

Trade Sectors and Key Exports

STEP emphasizes sectors central to Saskatchewan's profile: agricultural commodities (e.g., wheat, canola, lentils), potash and uranium minerals tied to firms like PotashCorp and AREVA, and value-added manufacturing including food processing and machinery suppliers. The organization supports exporters in oilseed, pulse crops associated with groups such as Pulse Canada, and forestry products connecting to markets in Japan and South Korea. Emerging sectors include clean-tech collaborations linked to carbon capture initiatives and agri-tech startups incubated through networks like Saskatchewan Research Council.

Partnerships and International Relations

STEP maintains formal and informal partnerships with federal agencies such as Global Affairs Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and provincial counterparts including the Ministry of Trade and Export Development (Saskatchewan). International partnerships involve engagement with trade promotion agencies like China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and trade delegations coordinated with missions to entities in Germany, United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. STEP participates in multilaterally informed activities with organizations aligned to World Trade Organization rules and regional trade compacts such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Impact and Economic Contributions

Through export facilitation, STEP contributes to increasing export revenues for Saskatchewan firms, supporting employment across supply chains tied to companies like McCain Foods and Saskatchewan Oil & Gas contractors. The organization underpins market diversification efforts that reduce reliance on single buyers, affecting provincial trade balances monitored by Statistics Canada and regional economic development tracked by Saskatchewan Ministry of Economy. Evaluations of STEP's impact reference metrics used by agencies such as Export Development Canada and regional development banks, linking export growth to investment attraction and innovation diffusion across the province.

Category:Trade associations of Canada Category:Economy of Saskatchewan