Video: BPA sets out Freeports priorities

The BPA has said that it has three priorities for the establishment of Freeports in the UK, ahead of today’s closing date for applications, and it calls upon Westminster to ensure the following:

• The selection process must be fair and transparent
• That government continues to work with industry to ensure a sound regulatory environment is established, for all ports to flourish
• That there is a level playing field across all UK nations

It said the industry welcomes the recognition from government that ports have an important part to play in industrial policy and a vital role in the nation’s overall industrial activity, jobs, and growth.

The Association also said that while government focus is beneficial, it believes state invention in a competitive market could bring unintended consequences. The industry has operated independently of government for the last thirty years and is wary of anything that might affect the huge benefits private investment has brought.

Phoebe Warneford-Thomson, the BPA’s Policy Manager and Economic Analyst, said:

“The BPA has been lobbying for this freeports package for years, so this is a welcome and exciting milestone. We have long argued that ports can play a wider role in local and regional economies and we are delighted that ministers have recognised this.

We hope that the Government will assess each bid on its merit and not place an arbitrary cap on our ambitions. We would be surprised if there are not more than 10 high quality and compelling bids so we hope government will assess each on their merits and retain an open mind on numbers…”