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| Questions raised over £10bn Chinese deal | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Opposition parties have raised questions over an investment deal worth up to £10bn signed by Scotland's first minister and a Chinese consortium. | |
| The agreement was signed on 21 March by Nicola Sturgeon and representatives of SinoFortone and China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group. | |
| It was not announced by the Scottish government at the time. | It was not announced by the Scottish government at the time. |
| But details of the "memorandum of understanding" were posted on the website of the SinoFortone Group. | But details of the "memorandum of understanding" were posted on the website of the SinoFortone Group. |
| Opposition parties have questioned why MSPs were not told about the deal before the Scottish Parliament was dissolved ahead of the election on 5 May, and have called for full details to be published. | |
| A spokeswoman for the Scottish government said: "The memorandum of understanding signed with SinoFortone relates to exploring investment opportunities in Scotland. No investment has been confirmed - any investment in any specific project would of course be confirmed publicly in the normal way." | |
| Sinofortone said the deal paved the way for "significant investment" in areas such as clean energy, transport and affordable housing in Scotland. | Sinofortone said the deal paved the way for "significant investment" in areas such as clean energy, transport and affordable housing in Scotland. |
| 'Deliver benefits' | 'Deliver benefits' |
| The investment and infrastructure company is already involved with projects including the new London Paramount theme park development, the proposed Crossrail 2 rail line running through London into Hertfordshire, and new metro systems in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. | The investment and infrastructure company is already involved with projects including the new London Paramount theme park development, the proposed Crossrail 2 rail line running through London into Hertfordshire, and new metro systems in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait. |
| Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government had "continuously made the case that Scotland is open for business and we have an economy that is rife with investment opportunities". | Ms Sturgeon said the Scottish government had "continuously made the case that Scotland is open for business and we have an economy that is rife with investment opportunities". |
| She added: "We have been co-operating and engaging with China since 2007 and I further progressed Scotland's business credentials during my trip last year, and this memorandum of understanding will strengthen our economic links with China in a number of areas. | She added: "We have been co-operating and engaging with China since 2007 and I further progressed Scotland's business credentials during my trip last year, and this memorandum of understanding will strengthen our economic links with China in a number of areas. |
| "New innovation collaborations between Scotland and China can deliver a boost in business growth for both countries and deliver benefits to Scotland as a whole. | "New innovation collaborations between Scotland and China can deliver a boost in business growth for both countries and deliver benefits to Scotland as a whole. |
| "We have high hopes for Scotland's economy and it is in a strong position, but if we can drive further growth by looking beyond our shores and building relationships with firms across the world then we will seek to make that happen." | "We have high hopes for Scotland's economy and it is in a strong position, but if we can drive further growth by looking beyond our shores and building relationships with firms across the world then we will seek to make that happen." |
| In a joint statement, the two Chinese companies involved in the deal said they were "delighted to act as a bridge between Chinese infrastructure expertise and finance with Scotland". | In a joint statement, the two Chinese companies involved in the deal said they were "delighted to act as a bridge between Chinese infrastructure expertise and finance with Scotland". |
| They said: "We believe that the enthusiasm that we have found amongst our many Scottish friends for the project guarantees its success." | They said: "We believe that the enthusiasm that we have found amongst our many Scottish friends for the project guarantees its success." |
| Pan Xinchun, the Chinese consul general in Scotland, said: "I congratulate all sides on this agreement as this project will benefit not only Chinese enterprises but also the Scottish people." | Pan Xinchun, the Chinese consul general in Scotland, said: "I congratulate all sides on this agreement as this project will benefit not only Chinese enterprises but also the Scottish people." |
| 'Deserve the facts' | 'Deserve the facts' |
| Sinofortune also quoted Stagecoach founder Sir Brian Souter, who is a prominent donor to the SNP, as saying: "It is a very positive step for Scotland to attract investment of this nature. | Sinofortune also quoted Stagecoach founder Sir Brian Souter, who is a prominent donor to the SNP, as saying: "It is a very positive step for Scotland to attract investment of this nature. |
| "SinoFortone's investment will be good for our economy, create jobs and enable growth. We look forward to hearing more about the specific projects and infrastructure that they are aiming to invest in." | "SinoFortone's investment will be good for our economy, create jobs and enable growth. We look forward to hearing more about the specific projects and infrastructure that they are aiming to invest in." |
| The Scottish government said Mr Souter was not present when the agreement was signed at the first minister's Bute House residence in Edinburgh. | |
| But Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said it was "extraordinary that a deal of such magnitude has been kept private by the SNP". | But Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said it was "extraordinary that a deal of such magnitude has been kept private by the SNP". |
| He added: "What have they got to hide that they signed this covert agreement with the Chinese when parliament was unable to scrutinise it? | He added: "What have they got to hide that they signed this covert agreement with the Chinese when parliament was unable to scrutinise it? |
| "We need to know what the SNP have signed up to. What have they given in return for this investment?" | "We need to know what the SNP have signed up to. What have they given in return for this investment?" |
| Jackie Baillie of Scottish Labour said: "This stinks. This secret deal needs to be published now. Voters deserve the facts on deals the SNP government have signed on their behalf and it is unacceptable to refuse to tell people what is in this deal. | Jackie Baillie of Scottish Labour said: "This stinks. This secret deal needs to be published now. Voters deserve the facts on deals the SNP government have signed on their behalf and it is unacceptable to refuse to tell people what is in this deal. |
| "It simply isn't good enough to blame the purdah election period. The SNP signed this deal before that but kept it quiet - people deserve to know why. | "It simply isn't good enough to blame the purdah election period. The SNP signed this deal before that but kept it quiet - people deserve to know why. |
| "It simply isn't acceptable that a millionaire SNP donor knows the details of this deal but the people of Scotland don't." | "It simply isn't acceptable that a millionaire SNP donor knows the details of this deal but the people of Scotland don't." |