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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Manitoba gets high mark

March 27, 2014

KPMG STUDY RANKS WINNIPEG MOST COMPETITIVE CITY IN NORTH AMERICAN MIDWEST FOR CONDUCTING BUSINESS

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Fifth Straight Year WInnipeg has held Top Ranking: Minister Oswald

A KPMG study comparing business costs in cities in 10 countries shows Winnipeg to be the most cost-competitive city in the North American Midwest, a position it has held since 2010, Jobs and the Economy Minister Theresa Oswald announced today.

The KPMG Competitive Alternatives report compared overall business costs for 26 cities in the North American Midwest and ranked Winnipeg first for overall competitiveness.  The report also benchmarked business costs in an additional eight smaller cities in the Midwest.  Among these, Brandon was shown to be the second-most cost competitive.

“This report shows, as so many companies already know, that Manitoba is a very competitive place for businesses to grow, prosper and create jobs,” said Minister Oswald.  “Our low business costs and taxes make Winnipeg and Brandon among the most competitive cities in which to do business, especially among North American Midwestern cities.”

In the 2014 report, Winnipeg ranked first in 12 of 19 industries studied and either improved or maintained its ranking for all 19 industries since the last KPMG report in 2012.  The most cost-effective industries were in the research and development, digital and corporate services sectors including biotechnology, clinical trials, electronics system testing, digital entertainment, software design, professional services and support services.

Minister Oswald said government’s investment in assets critical to business, including a five-year plan to invest $5.5 billion renewing roads, bridges and other core infrastructure, as well as additional investments in education, training and apprenticeship opportunities, will ensure a stable, skilled workforce over the long term.

“These investments, including the largest infrastructure investment in the province’s history, will create thousands of jobs and put our economy on an even more competitive footing for the future,” said the minister.

The KPMG report, released every second year, is intended to provide information for use by investors and any company considering business location options.

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