N.S. Business Inc. -- Nova Scotia Financial Services Sector Highlighted in Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and Stephen Lund, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc., participated in the Market Opening Ceremony at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange during the Council of the Federation's trade mission to China today, September 19.

Premier Dexter, Chair of the Council of the Federation, is leading the delegation that includes nine premiers, 110 business, institutional and university leaders on a 11-day economic development mission to China.

Today at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange opening ceremony, Premier Darrell Dexter highlighted Nova Scotia's recent success in building an international financial services sector in Halifax.

"Our goal on this mission is to explore various opportunities for Nova Scotia, including promoting our financial services sector," said Premier Dexter. "There is no better place to highlight the sector than at the Hong Kong stock exchange."

In KPMG's Competitive Alternatives 2012 report released this year, Halifax ranked number one out of all Canadian and U.S. cities surveyed for lowest business operating costs in the International Financial Services sector and is considered the fastest growing hedge fund administration centre in Canada.

"Nova Scotia is an attractive location for fund administrators to expand their global footprint," said Stephen Lund, president and CEO Nova Scotia Business Inc. "We have attracted some of the world's leading financial services companies including Citco Fund Services, Butterfield Fulcrum and Marsh Captive Solutions."

Nova Scotia is not only recognized as a global financial services centre but it is Canada's university capital. Talented graduates from the province's award winning institutions are succeeding with international financial services companies in Nova Scotia. With Nova Scotia's increased emphasis on partnerships between educational institutions and industry, graduates are receiving the specialized skills required by the financial services sector.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. is the province's private-sector-led business development agency. Through trade development, investment attraction, business financing and venture capital, NSBI assists local companies and attracts international companies to Nova Scotia. For more information, visit www.nsbi.ca and follow online at www.nsbi.ca/connect. For more information on Nova Scotia's financial services sector visit http://www.novascotiabusiness.com/en/home/newsevents/FS-Sector-background.aspx

Image with caption: "Representatives from Nova Scotia Business Inc., joined Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter, Northwest Territories Premier Bob McLeod and other government officials for the Market Open Ceremony at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Premier Dexter spoke to the province's recent success in building an international financial services sector in Halifax. (CNW Group/Nova Scotia Business Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120919_C7937_PHOTO_EN_18149.jpg

For further information:

Cindy Roberts

Nova Scotia Business Inc.

902-222-3658

E-mail: croberts@nsbi.ca

Jennifer Stewart

Premier's Office

902-424-0007

Cell: 902-497-7198

E-mail: stewarjl@gov.ns.ca

SOURCE　Nova Scotia Business Inc.