Cromarty Firth green freeport would deliver more than anywhere else according to Highlands and Islands Enterprise boss Stuart Black who says 'I am in no doubt that the impacts of a green freeport in the Highlands and Islands region would be proportionately greater than anywhere else'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Locating a green freeport in the Highlands and Islands is likely to have a greater impact for Scotland and the UK than any other location according to the chief executive of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Stuart Black said he is optimistic about the bid for a green freeport which would see the creation of a large, zoned area that includes at least one rail, sea or airport but can extend 45km beyond.
They are designed to boost economic growth through various targeted taxes, customs, and other incentives both reserved and devolved, including planning, regeneration, and innovation.
Last year, eight freeports were identified in England. In March this year, the UK and Scottish governments published a bidding prospectus to create two green freeports in Scotland, with the UK government pledging £52m seed funding.
Related Stories:
- North politicians band together to back 'once-in-a-lifetime transformational change' offered by a green freeport with thousands of jobs and billions of pounds on the line SNP, Conservatives, Labour and LibDems all say – 'This is the best bid'
- WATCH: A Highland green freeport is as much about equality as revenue; Nicky Marr hears about potentially the biggest economic boom in the north since oil and gas – except this time women will have a central role
- If the Cromarty Firth misses out on a green freeport it could cost the country thousands of jobs and billions of pounds with all three Highland MPs say it would halt the economic decline in the north
Bids have been assessed since the deadline in June and a joint decision between the Scottish and UK governments is expected this month.
Dr Black highlighted the strengths of the region’s two bids – Opportunity Cromarty Firth (OCF) and Orkney – arguing not only would it deliver on net-zero targets but it would be transformative for the region.
He said: “Thanks to our natural assets and £300 million investment in ports and harbours over the past ten years, we have the geography and the infrastructure to accommodate all that a green freeport needs. The region has a long proud heritage of fabrication and engineering, going back to the 1970s oil boom.
“Green freeport status would help transform the region’s economy and contribute considerably to meeting national net-zero targets. It would attract tens of millions of pounds in UK government seed funding, create around 20,000 green jobs and trigger many new supply chains.
“On a broader level, it would bring housebuilding, better schooling, healthcare and amenities for local people. Wider jobs would be created indirectly across sectors such as hospitality, retail and leisure, teaching and healthcare.”
Dr Black said the designation would attract large-scale manufacturing industries and create thousands of green jobs that complement the skills of the workforce.
He said: “Securing these industries and opportunities in the Highlands and Islands would accelerate economic growth and regeneration in the region, and the rate at which Scotland as a whole would benefit.
“There are of course several other strong bids from across Scotland, however in meeting the ‘levelling-up’ agenda I am in no doubt that the impacts of a green freeport in the Highlands and Islands region would be proportionately greater than anywhere else.”
