Business leaders joined together today as they urged the Scottish Government to give the go-ahead to US billionaire Donald Trump's plans for a golf resort.
They claimed the £1 billion development was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" for Scotland.
And they urged ministers to make a swift decision on the plans.
The business leaders argued that with the economy struggling in the wake of the credit
crunch, the Trump development could create much needed jobs and also boost both the construction and tourism industries.
The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC), Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) and the Institute of Directors (IoD) have all united to back the American tycoon's proposals.
Mr Trump hopes to build a resort, featuring two championship golf courses, a five star hotel, 950 holiday homes and 500 private houses at a site north of Aberdeen.
The planning application was called in by the Scottish Government last year after an Aberdeenshire Council committee rejected it.
And there has now been a four-week long public inquiry into Mr Trump's plans for the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
Environmental groups have opposed the plans, due to Mr Trump's insistence on building part of a course on delicate sand dunes.
But SCC chief executive Liz Cameron said the economic impact of the development far outweighed environmental concerns.
"We have a once-in-a-lifetime inward investment opportunity which we must grasp with open arms," she said.
"With declining business and consumer confidence having a material effect on our economy, growth rates are becoming dangerously shallow and our economy needs every boost it can get at the moment.
"We are urging the Government to make the right decision and to make it swiftly."
David Lonsdale, assistant director for the CBI in Scotland also urged ministers to make a quick decision on the project, arguing that granting the development the green light "would be a timely shot in the arm for the Scots economy".
Ian Armstrong, the SCDI manager for the north-east of Scotland, argued the Trump development would attract visitors from across the world to the area.
He went on: "The proposal has the support of the local people, local business and the local council, now we need the support of the Scottish Government."
Moira Gash, the FSB regional chair for north-east Scotland, claimed the resort would have "many economic benefits".
And David Watt, executive director of IoD Scotland, argued in the current economic climate it was vital "to be positive and seize the opportunities when they appear".
He said: "Scotland's future significantly depends on developments such as this and it should be warmly welcomed by politicians and the general public as well as the business community.
"Right now, no one should need any more convincing of the overwhelming economic case."
The full article contains 484 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
