Green Freeport for North East Scotland

That the Parliament welcomes that, on 10 June 2022, a major regional alliance announced its formal bid for green freeport status, which reportedly has the potential to boost Gross Value Added income (GVA) by £7.5 billion over the next decade and usher in a new era of investment, innovation, regional regeneration and opportunities for those that need them most across North East Scotland; understands that the bid, which could bring 30,000 high skilled, high paid jobs to the north east, encompasses Aberdeen City and Peterhead, and is being taken forward jointly by Aberdeen International Airport, Port of Aberdeen, Peterhead Port Authority and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils; believes that, should the bid be successful, it could ensure that North East Scotland, and in particular Aberdeen Donside, becomes the global epicentre of the energy transition to lead the world in creating carbon-free energy and the technology needed to achieve net zero, through bringing large-scale, advanced manufacturing to Aberdeen to maximise economic benefit from what it sees as Scotland’s rapidly-growing offshore wind and hydrogen sectors, as well as to accelerate pioneering carbon capture projects; further believes that this exciting potential will also create a regional customs hub for premium and globally recognised Scottish food and drink exports, building direct links to key markets for products such as Scotch whisky, seafood and meat produce; encourages the Scottish and UK governments to look favourably at the joint bid, which it considers could bring huge benefit to communities across Aberdeen, and the wider North East Scotland, and wishes the bid every success as it moves forward for consideration.