|
LOW START-UP COSTS
Pictou
County
participated in the KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study for the first time in 2004. The study compares and rates international business costs in industrialized nations. The 2004 report provides the most thorough comparison of G7 business operations ever undertaken, featuring 121 international cities and 17 industry sectors. The 10-month international study compares after-tax costs of starting up and operating a business for a period of 10 years. The analysis takes into account labour, transportation, energy and facility costs, as well as both income-based and non income-based taxes.
Pictou
County
was rated as the most cost competitive community in
Canada
in which to do business. The overall cost competitive scoring was better than any of the 23 Canadian communities studied. It also scored better than the 98 international locations studied in 11 industrialized countries.
Furthermore, Pictou County was the most cost competitive location in Canada in 8 of the 17 individual industry sectors studied, showing advantages in traditional industries of machining and precision manufacturing as well as our emerging industries of electronic assembly, software design, multi-media, and back-office support.
This study was updated in 2006.
Pictou
County
’s rating continues to be admirable, coming in as the #2 performer in
Canada
for providing a cost competitive business environment.
2004 Results
Canada Most Cost-Competitive G-7 Country
Pictou County Rates 1st in Canada
New Glasgow, February 20,2004 - Local municipal officials welcomed the results of the 2004 KPMG Competitive Alternatives international business cost study, the fifth consecutive report of its kind to rank Canada the lowest-cost G-7 country in which to do business. The study was officially released by KPMG's New York headquarters on February 18, 2004.
Pictou County, in its first year in the study, rated as the most cost competitive community in Canada in which to do business. The County's overall cost competitive scoring was better than any of the 23 Canadian communities studied. It also scored better than the 98 international locations studied in 11 industrialized countries.
Furthermore, Pictou County was the most cost competitive location in Canada in eight of the 17 individual industry sectors studied, showing advantages in our traditional industries of machining and precision manufacturing as well as our emerging industries of electronic assembly, software design, multi-media, and back-office support.
"This is tremendous news for Pictou County" said Robert Roy, C.E.O. of the Pictou Regional Development Commission, which coordinated Pictou County's participation in the study. "Our community already offers significant advantages to investors. This study gives credibility to our claims that the County offers a solid business case for investment.
Mr. Roy also expressed appreciation to Nova Scotia Business Inc. who worked at the provincial and national level to ensure Pictou County was included in the study. "The results of this KPMG report confirm what international corporations such as Michelin Tire, Kimberly Clark and Convergys already know" said Roy. "Our doors are open for business, and we have one of the most attractive investment climates in the world. Doing business in Pictou County and Nova Scotia is clearly a winning proposition for investors and for the people of this province. We know that direct foreign investment accounts for 10% of all jobs in Canada. We don't have the statistics for Pictou County but a look at our local industry confirms its importance"
This year's results show Canada as a whole holding a nine per cent cost advantage relative to the United States, which is used as a baseline for the study. When the results were broken down by municipality, Canadian cities ranked higher than many of their international counterparts, particularly those south of the border.
This year's Competitive Alternatives report provides the most thorough comparison of G-7 business operations ever undertaken, featuring 121 international cities and 17 industry sectors. The 10-month international study compares after-tax costs of starting up and operating a business for a period of 10 years. The analysis takes into account labour, transportation, energy and facility costs, as well as both income-based and non income-based taxes.
In addition to the 60-page report, KPMG's comparative web-based cost model allows companies to easily compare and rank all 121 cities, and examine individual cost factors that are relevant to their industry.
The on-line cost model, KPMG press release, and full study can be viewed at www.competitivealternatives.com. Canadian results are available at www.investincanada.gc.ca/competitivealternatives. A detailed profile on Pictou County can be found on the PRDC website at www.wearepictoucounty.com.
- 30 -
For further information, contact:
Lisa MacDonald, Executive Director
Pictou Regional Development Commission
(902) 752-6159
Toll Free: 1-888-412-0072
To set up an interview with the study's author, contact:
Joy Jennissen
Hill & Knowlton
(613) 293-2659
top
|
