Andrew recently visited the Port of Aberdeen and saw the new south harbour, a project delivered through private investment, he says the harbour expansion proves Aberdeen is still attracting private investment and still has potential for further growth.
“We’ve seen UK Government investment in the North East through the City Region deal, and through the Levelling Up Fund, what we’re also seeing here is an example of private investment coming to the fore. Whilst public funding can help kick start growth and revival, it’s private investment that drives things on, and it’s fantastic to see.”
Andrew also met with Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce bosses to hear about the regions economic growth.
“The North East has been through a tough time of late, the drop in oil prices took its toll several years ago, that impacted the hospitality sector, supply chain and many other sectors as well as energy directly. The pandemic hit other industries and sectors hard as well, tourism and food and drink for example. But we’re now seeing the shoots of a potential boom right across the North East, right across all business sectors.”
Andrew has always supported the retention of a strong energy sector and talked up the North East as the potential capital for green energy and world leader in transition. However, he has also spoken on many occasions about diversification and promotion of tourism, food and drink, and post Brexit growth of the farming industry.
Last month he invited former Prime Minister Theresa May to visit Royal Lochnagar distillery on Deeside. Andrew used the visit to highlight export growth with the sector.
““Last year alone 1.6bn bottles of Scotch Whisky 180 markets around the world totally £6.2bn worth of exports, this accounted for 75% of Scottish food and drink exports, 24% of all UK food and drink exports, and 1.5% of all UK goods exports.”
“In addition to this nearly 80% of people directly employed in the Scotch Whisky industry are employed in rural areas of Scotland, areas like here along Deeside. Vital rural jobs being secured by the success of our new, post Brexit trade relationships around the world.”
“It’s brilliant news, I have always championed the UK becoming the world leader in global free trade, the free trade agreements we are now reaching with countries around the globe are proving that this was never just a pipe dream.”
And next month Visit Aberdeenshire are set to host a ‘Best of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire’ event in London to showcase the North East offering of tourism and food and drink.
“Between the investment we’re seeing in the harbour, and the growing tourism and food and drink sectors, we’re seeing proper diversification in the North East that will ensure the regional economy is not so reliant on one industry. This will undoubtably lead to a strong and more resilient local economy and more local jobs.”
“That’s not to say that the energy sector is not still key to the North East economy and jobs market, the UK Government have already invested heavily in transition and the North East will continue to be Europe’s capital of energy.”
