Nova Scotia Business Inc. Annual Report 2017-2018 (Invest Nova Scotia)

Summary

• NSBI clients reported a 12.7% increase in actual export sales overall, against a goal of 10%.p.9
• 24 clients began exporting for the first time, exceeding the goal of 15.p.9
• 74 Productivity and Innovation Vouchers were placed in clients' hands, exceeding the goal of 50.p.9
• Payroll generated by small-business clients rose 14.8%.p.9
• The Export Growth Program approved $2,405,230 in funding across 373 applications.p.22
• Payroll rebates authorized under the Strategic Investment Funds totalled $8,916,816.p.23

Key insights

1. 64% of surveyed clients reported increased confidence for the year ahead.p.9
2. The Small Business Development Program approved $858,180 across 85 applications.p.22
3. The Productivity and Innovation Voucher Program approved $1,256,540 for 74 vouchers and 35 new linkages.p.22
4. Clients in the high potential clusters reported a 12.7% increase in actual export sales and a 2.6% increase in actual annual payroll.p.30
5. Larger companies with payroll over $5 million reported a 3.3% decrease in payroll, while smaller ones rose 14.8%.p.32
6. The Export Growth Program contributes up to 50% of eligible travel costs.p.34
7. Productivity and Innovation vouchers go up to $15,000 for new projects and up to $25,000 to build on work already done.p.35
8. Canada's Ocean Supercluster is expected to generate $300 million in investment over five years, and Nova Scotia has over 300 ocean technology companies.p.10