Here are the top business stories making the headlines in the morning newspapers.
North-east freeport could be 'monumental' for the area
The Scottish Government has been asked to support a potential north-east freeport bid which could be "monumental for the region", reports the Press and Journal.
Two Scottish green freeports will be named this summer after a £52million deal was eventually struck between the Holyrood and Westminster governments.
Liam Kerr, north-east Conservative MSP, supports a joint bid between Aberdeen Harbour, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils, Aberdeen International Airport and Peterhead port.
Speaking at Holyrood on Wednesday, he said the bid "could create up to 22,000 jobs if it were brought forward", as he urged Trade Minister Ivan McKee to publicly back the proposals.
Slump in Scottish economic output
Output from the Scottish economy contracted during December at twice the rate of the UK figure, new data shows.
Scottish Government economists calculate that output was down by 0.4%, while the Office for National Statistics says the UK economy contracted by 0.2%.
The BBC says that December was when new restrictions on hospitality were introduced because of the Covid's Omicron variant.
For all of 2021, Scotland's Gross Domestic Product rose by 7%. This followed a 10% drop in output during 2020 - the first year of the Covid pandemic.
New owner for Tendeka
North-east energy service company Tendeka has been snapped up by Saudi Arabian company Taqa for an undisclosed sum.
Dhahran-based oilfield services company Taqa - not to be confused with the Abu Dhabi-headquartered oil and gas operator of the same name - has acquired 100% of Tendeka.
The Press and Journal says the deal was announced at the start of the International Petroleum Technology Conference in Riyadh.
Tendeka, based in Westhill, near Aberdeen, said the takeover would strengthen its capabilities in the Middle East and attract investment.
Latest on plans for Rosebank field
Equinor has put pen to paper on a contract with Altera Infrastructure to use a floating production vessel at the Rosebank field west of Shetland.
The Norwegian energy giant confirmed in a statement that the Rosebank partners have signed a front-end engineering design agreement for deployment of the Petrojarl Knarr with Altera.
A key final investment decision is expected on Rosebank, a 300million barrel oilfield, in May, says Energy Voice.
Chancellor's pledge on economy
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is to pledge to "deliver a low-tax, higher-growth economy" amid criticism from MPs over rises to National Insurance.
The BBC states that Mr Sunak will tell an audience at the Bayes Business School today that he will cut taxes "sustainably".
"I am going to deliver a lower-tax economy, but I am going to do so in a responsible way, and in a way that tackles our long-term challenges," Mr Sunak will say in his speech. "I firmly believe in lower taxes."
However, the Chancellor will also argue that taxes should not be cut if spending plans are unfunded.
Bank Governor wants businesses to hold down prices
Andrew Bailey has told companies to hold down prices to help Britain battle inflation.
The Telegraph reports that the Bank of England Governor faced criticism for previously telling workers to show "restraint" when asking for pay rises.
Inflation from soaring energy prices risks becoming more embedded in the economy if companies demand higher prices and workers seek higher wages to compensate, he said, which would in turn risk higher interest rates and slower GDP growth.
"It is not just wage-setting, it is also price-setting. It is also company margins. I want to make clear that it is both," Mr Bailey said, calling for "thought and restraint".
Aberdeen and Wick air service to restart
Flights from Wick to Aberdeen will take off again thanks to the boost of a near £4million public subsidy.
Highland Council and Transport Scotland has awarded Eastern Airways a Public Service Obligation (PSO) to run for three years, according to the Press and Journal.
Caithness was left without scheduled air services in 2020 when routes between Wick and Aberdeen and Edinburgh were withdrawn in a major blow for the economy.
However, flights from Wick John O'Groats Airport will operate up to twice daily each way on weekdays and Sundays from April 11. Caithness Chamber of Commerce took the lead in pushing for a PSO and today welcomed the "return of the lifeline service".