Export Development Program

Grow your exports. Grow your business.

The Export Development Program (EDP) is for Nova Scotia businesses looking to:

• increase sales outside of Nova Scotia
• adopt technology and enhance e-commerce
• improve competitiveness

EDP offers three streams to support your business growth.

Stream 1: Travel and Virtual Trade Missions

• Participate in a virtual trade show, mission or conference
• Invite foreign clients, potential partners or investors to visit the business’ Nova Scotia facilities for the first time
• Travel to a market to attend an in-person trade show, conference or to visit clients, potential partners or investors. International travel permitted; the company will follow and adhere to all health protocols in all jurisdictions where the company is travelling. The company is responsible for all quarantine costs. International travel should adhere to federal government guidance.

Stream 2: Hire a Consultant

• Get expert help to address the challenges or barriers to selling your products/services outside of Nova Scotia

Stream 3: Digital Adoption

• Purchase software, hardware and platforms to enhance remote working productivity
• Implement e-commerce solutions and the digitization of internal operations

All eligible businesses can apply for up to 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $30,000 CAD across the three streams. For minimum project requirements and a full list of eligible costs, please refer to the Program Guidelines.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• be a Nova Scotia registered business in good standing (current registration on the Registry of Joint Stock Companies)
• have a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia
• have most workforce currently residing in Nova Scotia (some exceptions may apply, contact the Regional Business Development Advisor in your area to discuss)
• be engaged in, or have imminent plans to engage in, commercial activities outside of Nova Scotia, with fully developed exportable product(s), service(s), technology(ies), and/or intellectual property
• have a business plan and a strategy to sell products/services outside of Nova Scotia outlining the company’s target market and distribution channels; including challenges in the target market and how they will be overcome

Before You Apply

Please read the following documents to ensure you have all the required information available to you when completing the online form:

• Export Development Program Guidelines
• Export Development Program FAQ

Important Dates

Applications for the Export Development program must be received by January 14, 2022 at 5 PM.

Applications for Stream 1 will ONLY be considered for projects completed between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022.

Applications for Stream 2 and Stream 3 will ONLY be considered for projects completed between April 1, 2021 and March 15, 2022.

Two-Step Identity Verification

We use two-step verification for our online forms. Each time you apply or submit a claim, you will be asked to:

1. Enter your NSBI Customer Number and your associated email address to receive a one-time code
2. Enter the one-time code to verify your identity and gain access to the online form

IMPORTANT: If this is your first program with NSBI or you don’t know your NSBI Customer Number, please contact your Regional Business Development Advisor to request this information.

Apply Online

Stream 1: Travel and Virtual Trade Missions

Stream 2: Hire a Consultant

Stream 3: Digital Adoption

Submit a Claim

Stream 1 Claim Form

Stream 2 Claim Form

Stream 3 Claim Form

Other ways to apply