Since Nova Scotia Business Inc. was created as the arm’s-length development arm of the provincial government in 2001, it has authorized 44 payroll rebates, assisted in creating up to 13,000 jobs and participated in more than 50 trade missions, which it says have contributed more than $100 million in sales.

The agency initially focused on attracting call centres to the province, but in the last three years has shifted its focus to knowledge-based industries, including technology and education, financial services and defence and aerospace.

In its year-end report, the agency says that 42 per cent of the jobs it has helped create are in the information technology sector; 16 per cent are in the contact centre industry; 13 per cent in manufacturing; 11 per cent in financial services; and eight per cent in defence and aerospace.

During 2006, the agency made 19 financing deals, the largest with IMP Group to help the aeronautic firm gear up to accommodate a multi-year contract it won for the servicing of Aurora aircraft...

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