The special economic zones, offering tax breaks and lower business tariffs, are being promoted by the UK government as part of its “levelling-up” agenda.
A bidding process will begin in the spring and it is hoped the new sites will open in 2023, including two in Scotland.
And now South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has said Cairnryan must be in the running.
He said: “I am also pushing for Cairnryan to be given serious consideration for one of the sites, providing the final plans include guarantees on the payment of the Living Wage and proper trade union recognition.
“The council has already given the plan its blessing and the Scottish Government must take the bid seriously if it is interested in supporting the economy in every part of Scotland.
“However, this must go hand in hand with plans to upgrade the A75 and the A77. Irrespective of whether Cairnryan became a Green Port, both governments need to wake up to the fact that these routes are not just vital to the ferry firms and the local economy, but are a strategic priority for the whole of Scotland.”
