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Cromarty Firth freeport proposals must be backed by government, MSPs say


By Louise Glen

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Port of Cromarty Firth
Port of Cromarty Firth

A government minister has revealed he will back freeports proposals – leaving the door open for one in the Cromarty Firth.

In a ministerial statement made in parliament today, Ivan McKee MSP, minister for trade, innovation and public finance, revealed the government will now back the freeports proposal, just months after Nicola Sturgeon at the SNP conference branded them as “low-cost, low-wage, low-value opportunities”.

MSPs Edward Mountain and Rhoda Grant have welcomed the news and are calling on the government to support Cromarty Firth Port Authority’s freeport proposal.

Highland MSP Edward Mountain
Highland MSP Edward Mountain

Mr Mountain said: “I am pleased that the SNP government is now finally seeing the massive opportunities that freeports offer.

"Opportunity Cromarty Firth’s proposals have won the backing of several Highland business organisations already.

"If Cromarty Firth gains freeport status then this would create new jobs and give a real boost to the Highland economy as it recovers from the pandemic.

"It is now time for the SNP Government to start working constructively with Highland businesses to ensure that Cromarty Firth can be granted freeport status.”

Mrs Grant is pushing for the port to be returned to its "glory days".

She asked government ministers to approve a forthcoming bid from the Port of Cromarty Firth.

In parliament today, Mrs Grant said: “The cabinet secretary may be aware of a bid from ports in the Cromarty and Moray firths, which include 12 stakeholders.

MSP Rhoda Grant: concerns over heating allowance
MSP Rhoda Grant: concerns over heating allowance

"They promise high wage, high quality jobs creating a renewable energy hub that would benefit the whole of Scotland.

“Will the Scottish Government favour such bids that would deliver high value jobs and growth to Scotland as well as tackle climate change, over locations which primarily import goods and are typically dependant on low wage economies?”

She added: "The Port of Cromarty Firth’s proposal offers the chance to take the firth back to its glory days. It will be a massive boost to the area. I am aware specific concerns have been raised about numerous aspects including marine protection and statutory employment rights and protections. Scottish Labour has sought reassurances that there will be no reductions in current protections and the government has given a series of commitments on which they will firmly be held.”

Ivan McKee, minister for trade, innovation and public finance, responded to her, saying that was “very much the criteria” the government would be favouring as part of selection process.

He said: “The model, as a green port model, will attract investment and business and grow exactly those green jobs and those good jobs and will make use of Scotland’s tremendous assets and technology and in the skills that we have in renewable energy”.


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