tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post852614533960242458..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: We need the freedom to be honest, not to join in corruptionJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-51935597688500135462021-11-11T07:44:16.346+00:002021-11-11T07:44:16.346+00:00Whilst they're called 'freeports', the...Whilst they're called 'freeports', the concept isn't necessarily linked to shipping - airports are also options.<br /><br />Whilst I agree with much of what you say, I rather suspect that <i>"...to licence such places, encourage the trade, set a sensible level of tax, and deal with inevitable pirates, cut-throats and VAT-dodgers when it gets out of hand."</i> would, in practice, render them irrelevant. Without the 'advantages' which are negated by a proper regime, what is left? (The success of the concept in the US seems to be due, to a significant extent, to a curious phenomenon known as tariff inversion, where the tariffs on the raw materials are higher than the tariffs on the finished goods - a situation which does not pertain for the UK.) And, even if there is still some marginal advantage to be gained from properly regulated grey areas (if that isn't an oxymoron), that still doesn't address the issue - which the OBR identified - that the main impact is relocating economic activity rather than expanding it.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-25008361381580005412021-11-10T17:06:20.874+00:002021-11-10T17:06:20.874+00:00I used to work in shipping, and have tried to thin...I used to work in shipping, and have tried to think about what might work for Wales. I absolutely agree as to the defects of Freeports but I do wonder what the best response actually would be. Wales does not have a shipping industry. We have to decide whether we want one - yes or no? Wales would need a shipping culture - have we got one? Having knocked around Atlantic Arc circles I'd have to say - we don't. We had real-estate people in Welsh Ports who would like a lively harbour. But its not enough. You might get a corporate level shipping line interested, but probably not. They are happy with Portsmouth for ferries. For containers, Milford Haven has no chance. Nor does Port Talbot, which would be good, but is spoken for. But containers are moving through Liverpool more now. Ah yes, Liverpool. I've been there a lot recently and they have the right attitude. Whatever the stereotypes, I speak as I find. They like a party, they work hard. And they do love a deal. As you know, I favour Liverpool as an independent City State like Hamburg or Bremen. Because they have this attitude, and they understand of sea trade. What we in Wales need to get over is that you need to play with fire somewhat, and take some of the risks you correctly identify wrt Free Ports. Historically, ports and entrepots have always been marginal places, legal grey areas, on the coast and not inland like most modern capital cities. Consider places like Carthage (and numerous places in the Med in Antiquity), Hanseatic Ports, Singapore, Hong Long, Nassau Bahamas etc etc. Problem is cultural ie none of these would appeal to a neis-neis Welsh Mam with children like Mark Drakeford. He so obviously dislikes nightclubs and pubs. I just can't see him allowing a proper seaport, with inevitable commercial "grey areas", let alone Red Lights!. The art of the Statesman is to licence such places, encourage the trade, set a sensible level of tax, and deal with inevitable pirates, cut-throats and VAT-dodgers when it gets out of hand. Has worked for every civilisation down the ages. Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05937342201811857738noreply@blogger.com