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Scottish Secretary David Mundell to make oil and gas trip to Mozambique | |
(about 9 hours later) | |
Scottish Secretary David Mundell is to visit Mozambique to explore further oil and gas partnerships with Scotland. | Scottish Secretary David Mundell is to visit Mozambique to explore further oil and gas partnerships with Scotland. |
He will visit the town of Pemba to build on a formal memorandum of understanding with Aberdeen. | He will visit the town of Pemba to build on a formal memorandum of understanding with Aberdeen. |
The Scotland Office said the area had "huge reserves of offshore natural gas". | |
News of Mr Mundell's trip came after the Scottish cabinet held a special meeting about the state of the North Sea oil and gas sector. | |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said her government wanted UK Chancellor George Osborne to use his March Budget to reduce the "tax burden" on the industry. | |
Mr Mundell is due to visit Aberdeen on Thursday where he will formally announce his February trip to Mozambique during a meeting with representatives of the offshore oil and gas industry. | |
'Expertise to share' | 'Expertise to share' |
The minister said: "Aberdeen's link-up with Mozambique is a win-win for both sides. | |
"Mozambique can learn a huge amount from Aberdeen's oil and gas hub model, and its associated experience and expertise. | "Mozambique can learn a huge amount from Aberdeen's oil and gas hub model, and its associated experience and expertise. |
"At the same time, Scottish companies will be able to bid for new work and contracts out in Mozambique. | "At the same time, Scottish companies will be able to bid for new work and contracts out in Mozambique. |
"Our oil and gas sector has huge expertise to share. | "Our oil and gas sector has huge expertise to share. |
"This deal will also bring fantastic opportunities for British companies working in the Scottish oil and gas sector to win new contracts supporting Pemba's growing offshore industry." | "This deal will also bring fantastic opportunities for British companies working in the Scottish oil and gas sector to win new contracts supporting Pemba's growing offshore industry." |
Councillor Jenny Laing, leader of Aberdeen City Council which has been driving the Pemba initiative, said: "I very much welcome the visit to Mozambique by David Mundell. It will help reinforce the commitment of the UK to supporting Aberdeen and its industries." | Councillor Jenny Laing, leader of Aberdeen City Council which has been driving the Pemba initiative, said: "I very much welcome the visit to Mozambique by David Mundell. It will help reinforce the commitment of the UK to supporting Aberdeen and its industries." |