Five bids have been made for green freeports in Scotland, it was confirmed yesterday.
Ministers want to create two special economic zones north of the border, under a scheme agreed by the Scottish and UK governments.
The successful bidders will be able to offer tax incentives and lower tariffs for areas around airports, seaports and rail terminals.
The bids received by Monday's deadline came from:
- North East Scotland Green Freeport
- Opportunity Cromarty Firth
- Firth of Forth Green Freeport
Parliamentarians from across the political divide have united to throw their weight behind the north-east bid.
MPs and MSPs have pledged to campaign in the weeks ahead to ensure the region is first in line for the vital investment.
Final analysis of the economic benefit of the bid found that up to 32,000 highly-skilled jobs will be created and Gross Added Value income will be boosted by £8.5billion over the next 10 years if the region is granted transformational green freeport status.
The North East Scotland Green Freeport consortium - led by the Port of Aberdeen, Peterhead Port Authority, Aberdeen International Airport, and the region's two local authorities ¬- has vowed to use the designation to place the area at the heart of the global energy transition.
Bidders have had to set out how they will regenerate their area, create high-quality jobs and support transition to a net-zero economy.
Ministers from both the Scottish and UK governments will have a say in the assessment and selection process.
The BBC reports that Holyrood Finance Secretary Kate Forbes said yesterday: "We expect green freeports to promote regeneration in the areas selected, create high-quality jobs and enhance our decarbonisation plans in the just transition to a net zero economy.
"We will now jointly assess and decide on the winning bids, following the rigorous process set out in the agreed joint prospectus in which each government has an equal say.
"Further details of the successful applicants will be set out in the coming months."
The UK Government's Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said: "UK freeports are a key part of the UK Government's Levelling Up strategy - they will bring innovation, high-quality jobs, prosperity and regeneration for the benefit of the whole of Scotland."
The two winning bids are expected to be announced this summer.