Sapient Canada Inc. To Expand in Halifax

Nova Scotia's information technology (IT) industry is growing again, with the expansion of Sapient Canada Inc., a leading business innovation consulting firm.

The company's expansion in Halifax was announced today, Oct. 6, by Economic Development Minister Ernest Fage; Hank Summy, president of Sapient Canada Inc.; and Stephen Lund, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc. (NSBI).

"This is a company that markets its products and services all over the world," said Mr. Fage. "Sapient's expansion in Nova Scotia is yet another endorsement of the competitive advantages that a Nova Scotia location offers to companies operating in the global marketplace."

In today's business environment, companies must improve productivity and service delivery. Outsourcing companies, like Sapient, that have global locations offer their clients better costs and faster service from talented employees.

"Nova Scotia's educated, highly skilled IT professionals create an ideal environment to build our team and continue generating breakthrough results for our clients," said Mr. Summy.

Sapient helps its clients with planning, creating, and managing business-critical solutions to drive competitive advantage. Founded in 1991, Sapient is based in Cambridge, Mass., and has offices in Europe, Asia and throughout North America.

Working with Sapient to support the company's growth plan, NSBI is investing a payroll rebate of $3.3 million for the creation of up to 320 new, full-time positions in Halifax. The company's earned rebate will be paid out annually for six years once the jobs have been put in place.

"NSBI is committed to having a strong role in the continuing growth of the province's IT industry," said Mr. Lund. "We welcome the opportunity to work with companies, like Sapient, that recognize the Nova Scotia advantage and are using it to grow globally."

Sapient, a business innovator, helps clients achieve extraordinary results from their customer relationships, business operations and technology. It leads its industry in delivering the right business results on time and on budget. Sapient works with clients that are driven to make a difference, including BP, Essent Energy, Harrah's Entertainment, Hilton International, Janus, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Nextel Communications, Sony Electronics, the U.S. Marine Corps, and Verizon. For more information on Sapient see the website at www.sapient.com .

Nova Scotia Business Inc. is the private sector-led business development agency for Nova Scotia. NSBI is the investment attraction arm of the province and helps companies in Nova Scotia meet their growth potential through business advisory, export development and financial services.