A top-level summit is being proposed to Moray Council with the aim of bringing together key organisations to discuss promoting the region.
Moray’s MP and MSP are set to meet with senior administration group councillors today when new initiatives on promoting Moray in the future will be placed at the top of the agenda.
The proposal from the parliamentarians comes on the back of Moray’s bid to host the UK’s first spaceport being rejected by the UK Government and Forres-based firm Accunostics entering administration.
Angus Robertson MP said: “I am keen to bring together The Moray Council, HIE and other key public and private sector actors to ensure our region is truly promoted at the level you would expect as one of the foremost food and drink regions in the world.
“We have suffered recent setbacks in relation to the spaceport and Lifesciences sector and we must ensure that we make the most of the exciting opportunities that we have in abundance.
“Good work has been undertaken by the Moray Chamber of Commerce and Moray Economic Partnership. Now is the time to bring this together with other public and private sector partners to ensure we have a joined up approach.”
Any summit would likely mirror that hosted by the MP at the Craigellachie Hotel in 2009 when representatives from the Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Visit Scotland and senior representatives from the Whisky industry and local businesses attended.
Richard Lochhead MSP said: “As Food and Drink Minister it is entirely obvious to me the fantastic produce that is made right here on our doorstep in Moray but we do not make the most of our outstanding resources like other iconic food and drink regions of world, such as Rioja, Champagne and Napa Valley in California.
“It is vital that we have a coordinated and properly resourced approach from organisations like Moray Council, HIE and the private sector if we are to make the most of the wealth of opportunity that is right in front of us.”