The Scottish government is seeking input on the development of the full economic potential along the River Clyde.

The initiative is being led by the government, with input from Scottish Enterprise, other agencies, local authorities and the private sector.

It will focus on:

• strengthening industries such as shipping, shipbuilding and marine engineering and create new ones to support more jobs

• attracting further investment to the Clyde area to add to the hundreds of millions the Scottish Government is already investing in projects such as the Clyde Waterfront Innovation Campus, the National Manufacturing Institute and Queens Quay

• bringing vacant and derelict land back in to productive use

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• improving the river for visitors, local people and communities

• managing the risk of flooding

• realising the potential of the river to help address the climate change emergency including the opportunity to use the energy from the Clyde to heat local housing

• bringing forward investment through the Scottish National Investment Bank and the Green Growth Accelerator model

Making the announcement in a speech at the State of the City Economy conference in Glasgow, Economy Secretary Derek Mackay, said: "The River Clyde has a long history of supporting the economy of Glasgow, the wider region and Scotland. The last 10 to 15 years have has seen significant public and private investment transforming the banks of the river, and there is a strong pipeline of future investment, including projects funded through our £500 million commitment to the Glasgow City Region Deal.

"This initiative will build on that success and aim to make better use of the river and surrounding land to help deliver our economic, social and environmental ambitions, and to bring benefits to local people and communities.

"There is a fantastic opportunity to not only put the Clyde back at the centre of our economy and communities, but also at the heart of our plans for a net zero future.

"I look forward to working closely with local authorities, public bodies and the private sector to achieve our ambitions for the Clyde."

(MH/JG)