SNP MSP Kate Forbes uses her maiden speech to say her constituency of Skye, Lochhaber and Badenoch is the most beautiful in Europe.

Ms Forbes says economic opportunity is critical to population growth in the Highlands. 

She says she has seen more investment in the Highlands under the last two terms under the SNP than on previous administrations.

Ms Forbes says she is excited about the government's economic plans for this term, particularly the goal to provide 100% superfast broadband by 2021.

Image source, bbc

Conservative MSP Alison Harris takes to her feet to make her maiden speech rather bravely, with an extremely hoarse voice, 

Ms Harris battles on says this parliament deserves a strong voice and she is doing her utmost to overcome her lurgae to provide it!

She says she is looking forward to ensuring her constituents voices are heard in this chamber, "possibly when I don't have laryngitis though".

Ms Harris points to the lower growth rate in Scotland than the rest of the UK and higher unemployment.

Nicola Sturgeon said no deals would be done with a Chinese consortium if legitimate concerns about the firms involved are uncovered in April. 

The SNP leader signed a memorandum of understanding potentially worth £10bn in March.

The Herald newspaper said, external China Railway Group Limited (CRG) and subsidiaries were named in an Amnesty International report on human rights abuses.

Opposition parties urged the SNP leader to reconsider the agreement.

Mr Rennie says Amnesty International has condemned China Railway Group for forcing people out of their homes.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the Scottish government refuse to rule out the China Railway Group.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown intervenes to ask what specific deals or financial commitments were made with the China Railway Group, saying it was just an MOU.

Mr Rennie says if the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) means nothing whey on earth was it signed and says the government and the minister should be embarrassed.

Here we take a look at the Scottish Liberal Democrats' plans for the economy: 

• enable businesses to get the skills they need through penny for education policies
• invest in the modern infrastructure for businesses

Mr Rennie focuses now on the MOU between the Scottish government and the Chinese Railway Group.

He says he wants investment, but it has to be ethical investment.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader says the SNP is trying to silence critics.

He says he has read the FOI documents today, but the papers confirm his worst fears of "no due diligence". 

Mr Rennie says someone tried to remove reference of the Chinese Railway Group from today's papers.

Mr Rennie encourages the Scottish government to "come out of the timid corner it has been hiding in with its lack of ambition for growing our economy".

He also calls on mental health to be addressed to help people back to work, investment in education and in infrastructure.  

This would grow the economy, he says.

Mr Rennie again accuses the SNP of being "far too timid".

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's the amendment from Scottish Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie., external

Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie gets to his feet to speak to his amendment. 

Here we take a look at the Scottish Labour party's economy pledges in the recent election...

Image source, PA / BBC

• only award contracts or give grants to organisations agreeing to pay at least the living wage
• establish a living wage commission to support government and agencies to promote the living wage
• establish a new "Skills Scotland" to help Scots move "into" work and then "up in" work
• support the creation of Scottish Strategic Sector Forums

Ms Baillie says improving productivity is fundamental to improving growh.

The Labour MSP asks what on earth happened to the Scottish Investment Bank, despite it having been announced several times.

She says employment levels are lagging behind the rest of the UK and calls for the government to do bettter and points to increasing unemployment.

Ms Baillie says UK unemployment decreased by 28,000, so across a range of measures Scotland is not doing well. 

Ms Baillie says that the Scottish economy is growing at a slower rate than that of the UK.

The Labour MSP says we also "lag behind the rest of the UK" in productivity. 

She says we're also falling behind other countries and we are actually dropping further.

"What on earth have the SNP been doing int he past nine years to improve productivity", she asks. 

Scottish Labour's economy spokesperson Jackie Baillie, in addition to calling for the SNP to review their economic strategy, outlined the following six key steps ahead of the debate:

Image source, bbc

1. A review of business rates and recognition of the important role of small and medium sized enterprises.2. A comprehensive industrial strategy with a specific focus on our science technology and engineering sectors.3. A renewed focus on cities as the engine rooms of the Scottish economy and make the most of city deals.4. Investment in  infrastructure to improve connectivity.5. Stop the cuts to education.6. Using the new powers over the work programme to better meet the needs of the labour market and match it with skills that employers need.  

Image source, bbc

Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie says an inclusive economy is likely to be more healthy.

Ms Baillie says the Scottish government is good at congratulating itself but it is nine years in and very little progress has been made on the economy.

She says this should be seen as a starting point if things are going to change. 

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Here's the amendment from Scottish Labour's Economy, Fair Work and Jobs spokesperson Jackie Baillie., external

Next up is Scottish Labour's Economy, Fair Work and Jobs spokesperson Jackie Baillie

Mr Fraser says there are great strengths to the Scottish economy and the fear is that the gap is widening between Scotland and the rest of the UK. 

Mr Fraser says business rates have been increased by some 42% over the last nine years.

Fergus Ewing asks when the Tory MSP will get his facts right, but Mr Fraser is unperturbed and stands by his statement.