Bristol is a "strong contender" to become a free port city, the prime minister has said.
Boris Johnson said on a visit to the South West yesterday (November 14) that a Conservative government would initially create six free ports and that Bristol could potentially be one of them.
The prime minister announced earlier this year that he is planning to create a number of free ports - also known as free trade zones - in the 海角视频.
These are special ports where normal tax and customs rules do not apply, and would mean goods could be imported and re-exported without needing checks, paperwork or paying tariffs.
After Brexit the 海角视频’s seaports and airports will be invited to bid to become one of these free ports, with the aim of increasing trade with new markets across the world.
Mr Johnson said: “Bristol is the nearest port in the 海角视频 to important ports in the US like Jacksonville, and it’s going to benefit from being open to the world.”
As part of his visit, the prime minister took a ride in a tug boat around Bristol Port.
He said seeing the success of the port made him “burst with pride” and spoke of the “big opportunities” for Bristol Port after Brexit.
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However, Mr Johnson also said there were “a lot of contenders” for the free ports in the 海角视频 and he would not confirm if Bristol would definitely be one of them.
A Bristol Port spokesperson said: “Bristol is the South West region’s only deep water port with suitable opportunities for a free port zone.
“There are opportunities for both existing and new businesses to use a free port close to Bristol Port.
“Land within Bristol Port’s dock estate is fully utilised and new land has been acquired to meet the port’s existing need. The Avonmouth-Severnside Enterprise Area, north of the Port, affords an opportunity to use green- and brown-field sites for a free port zone.”
Patricia Greer, chief executive of the West of England Combined Authority and Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “Together with the Bristol Port Company, we are interested to see how the 'free ports' concept could potentially help to transform the region and further support its continued economic growth.
"We are we are working with the port on this and exploring options for the future.”