Greenport status for Glasgow could create jobs and lower food prices
It could bring tens of thousands of jobs to the Central Belt.
Last updated 18th Aug 2022
Plans to transform derelict land along the River Clyde if Glasgow wins a bid for "green freeport" status could help to bring the price of food down.
Around 30,000 jobs could also be created if the Clyde Green Freeport gets the go ahead for the "large zoned area" which would mean normal tax rules would apply to manufacturers.
Ross Nimmo from Glasgow International Airport told Clyde 1 News : "This would give us the chance to boost our manufacturing capability in the Central Belt.
"At the airport, we handle about a quarter of Scotland's exports by value and this could allow us to grow that."
"The Emirates flight to Dubai carries seafood, pharmaceuticals and drink"
Glasgow is one of four Scottish regions competing for the title which could bring billions of pounds to the Scottish economy.
Ross added: "We would anticipate more exports coming through the airport and in order to be able to facilitate that we would look at doubling our capacity to handle that.
"What people don't realise is when you're flying from Glasgow Airport, most of the freight is underneath your feet.
"The Emirates flight to Dubai carries seafood, pharmaceuticals and drink every day."
"All employers would have to pay living wage"
If the bid is successful, it could help the UK to reach its net zero targets sooner.
Andrew Stirling from Mossend International Railfreight Park said: "We already have one vehicle manufacturer who wants to build HGVs within the freeport and that would bring 500 jobs alone.
"These companies won't have to pay local authority rates or stamp duty.
"All employers would have to pay living wage so it is a very positive project as it would encourage engineering back to the West of Scotland."
"It comes at the expense of global businesses paying their fair share of tax"
However, concerns have been raised about how much economic benefit a green freeport would actually bring to the country, if any at all.
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "I don't believe the policy of freeports would bring any useful economic activity.
"It comes at the expense of exempting some really big, global and profitable businesses from paying their fair share of taxes or from planning and environmental regulation."