A race to secure tens of millions of pounds of investment and gain thousands of jobs has started after the application process to create a green freeport in Scotland opened.
Two of the bids will be chosen and the decision is expected over the summer.
Several groups have already declared an interest. A proposal involving Edinburgh airport and Forth Ports, taking in various transport hubs and key industrial sites around the Firth of Forth, is considered to be a front-runner.
It will face competition from potential bidders in Aberdeen, Shetland, the Cromarty Firth and the southwest of Scotland. The concentration of tax benefits in a freeport area is expected to bring in investment and businesses are keen to benefit.
Governments in Holyrood and Westminster had been at odds over the creation of freeports in Scotland. The SNP administration was keen to create its own greenports, which it claimed had more stringent rules around the environment and fair work.
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Last month the governments agreed on the creation of two green freeports in Scotland, offering a mix of reliefs on tax, national insurance, business rates and customs to those operating inside the areas. Applicants are asked to show how they would contribute to Scotland’s efforts to reach net zero.
