UK, Scottish governments agree to establish 2 Green Freeports

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The UK and Scottish governments on Friday confirmed that they will establish two new Green Freeports in Scotland, according to a statement by the UK government.

The two new Green Freeports will be established in Inverness and Cromarty Firth and Firth of Forth in Scotland, expected to help create jobs, drive growth, and level up the country, the statement said.

Green Freeports, backed by up to £52 million ($63.5 million) in the UK government funding, aim to bring forward an estimated £10.8 billion ($13.1 billion) of private and public investment and create over 75,000 new, high-skilled jobs, it added.

"Working together delivers results – and I am absolutely delighted that the First Minister (Nicola Sturgeon) and I can announce the delivery of our shared ambition for people in Scotland today with not one but two excellent Green Freeport areas," said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

John Swinney, Scotland's deputy first minister, defined the project as "a milestone achievement" and said the freeports will make a significant contribution to achieving the net zero ambitions as well as promoting growth and regeneration.