WATCH: Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes visits Nairn on general election campaign trail
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Improved infrastructure is key to growing businesses in the Moray Firth area and across the Highands.
That was the pre-election message from Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes as she paid a visit to one local frirm in the company of SNP party colleague Graham Leadbitter who is contesting the new Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey seat.
After her visit to Gordon Timber in Nairn she said: “This is a great example of Highland produce - Highland timber - creating Highland jobs in a Highland industry, and it is great to see what they are doing to support other businesses in the area, and ultimately exporting some of Scotland’s finest produce in the form of timber.
“Supporting local and small businesses is one of my top priorities in my role as Economy Secretary, and we already see this week that the sentiment and confidence amongst the private sector is so much stronger, and we need to build on that and support it.
“The Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland is also saying that the relationship with the EU still needs to be improved, and unfortunately neither Labour nor the Conservatives, the two parties most likely to form the next government, seem interested at all in talking about the importance of trade and export to other EU countries in this election.
“We have slashed and abolished rates for 100,000 businesses, we have attracted a lot of investment, we are the top area outside London for foreign direct investment for the eighth year in a row and we have invested in the Scottish National Investment Bank, and I know that this business has received support from the likes of HIE (Highlands and Islands Enterprise) as well. That’s all part of our package.”
After the Inverness Courier’s recent Nairn Bypass event which brought Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop to town to affirm the Scottish Government’s commitment to A96 dualling, Ms Forbes said: “I understand that businesses and local residents need to have clarity and understanding, and I know the Transport Secretary was here not that long ago speaking very openly and constructively with local representatives and so on with a view to get that clarity as quickly as possible, but we do remain fundamentally committed to improving the infrastructure of the area.”
The campaign trail stop by Ms Forbes and Mr Leadbitter started well for the SNP with the announcement by Douglas Ross that he will step down from his role as Scottish Conservatives leader after the general election – and also give up his roles as a Highlands and Islands MSP if he wins the battle to become MP for Aberdeenshire North and Moray East.
