Business group backs Cromarty Firth's Freeport bid
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Freeport status for the Cromarty Firth will bring enormous benefits to the Highlands, the chairman of Inverness Chamber of Commerce has said.
Stewart Nicol was speaking in support of Opportunity Cromarty Firth, the partnership of private, public and academic sector bodies committed to ensuring that the Cromarty Firth achieves Freeport status.
The chamber, the largest independent business organisation based in the Highlands, joins other Highland organisations which are already backing the partnership including Port of Cromarty Firth, the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), Highland Council, Global Energy Group, Inverness Harbour Trust, Highland Resources, and Skills Development Scotland.
They believe Freeport status will make the region more attractive for multi-national companies to invest in manufacturing facilities in the region, bringing more high quality jobs to the area and producing a ripple effect benefitting local suppliers.
Mr Nicol said: “Opportunity Cromarty Firth recently shared with us and our members the enormous benefits that Freeport status could bring to businesses in the Highlands.
“The scale of this opportunity cannot be overestimated, and in our opinion no other location is better positioned to realise its full scope.
“As a result, we firmly believe that Freeport status for the Cromarty Firth will profoundly benefit our network of businesses.
“Inverness Chamber of Commerce is delighted to give our full support to the proposals and we trust more businesses across the Highlands will do the same.”
Bob Buskie, chief executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, said: “Opportunity Cromarty Firth is delighted to have gained the support of Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
“Freeport status would bring skilled jobs and high-wage opportunities to the Highlands on a level not seen since the oil boom of the 1970s.
“The Cromarty Firth, with its deep natural waters, is uniquely positioned at the heart of the majority of current and future multi-billion pound offshore renewable projects.
“It has the facilities, and above all the local supply chain – many of whom are members of Inverness Chamber.
“My thanks goes not only to Stewart Nicol but also to the chamber’s membership for their vision in seeing the benefits that Freeport status would bring.”
