Businesses, stakeholders and public sector organisations are being consulted on the use of place-based zoning incentives to boost economic recovery and growth in Scotland.

The results will help determine how these initiatives might be used in future to achieve sustainable, inclusive economic growth across the whole of Scotland.

Ivan McKee, minister for trade, investment and innovation, said: “The coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainly caused by Brexit have presented huge challenges for our economy and it is important that we explore all of the options available to support businesses and communities across Scotland to recover and grow.

“Enterprise Areas have formed part of our economic landscape since 2012 and although we have extended the designation of these for another two years, it is important that we take stock and consider their future beyond that point. We have also recently opened the £10 million Clyde Mission Fund to kick-start economic recovery in the area around the River Clyde.

“Cluster development – geographic concentrations of interconnected firms and institutions – is another way we have been helping businesses to gain a competitive advantage both domestically and internationally.”

He added: “This is an opportunity to hear directly what partners and stakeholders across the public, private and third sector think about establishing freeports in Scotland, and what impact this could have on our ambitions for a wellbeing economy.

“Freeports won’t offset the damage that will be caused by Brexit and we remain concerned that the UK model might focus on low cost, low wage and low value opportunities. That is why we are keen to explore how they align with our ambitions for a low carbon, wellbeing economy.

“The results of this survey will help to influence how we shape and use different incentives to foster a high productivity, high wage, innovative economy built on the strength of our world leading technology, businesses and academic clusters. I encourage everyone with an interest to take part and share their views.”