Scottish Secretary David Mundell has given his clearest indication yet that the Aberdeen and Inverness city deal bids will be given the go-ahead.
The Conservative minister said he is “optimistic” there will be a “good news story” at the end of the negotiations.
He insisted “all the right elements” were in place and it was now a case of going “through due process”.
Speaking exclusively to the Press and Journal, the Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP hailed the work that had gone into the process so far, saying it put both submissions in a “strong position”.
He said: “Aberdeen and Inverness have a detailed proposal in the system. They are well down the line.
“A lot of detailed work has been done. I think there will be a good news story at the end of it.
“They have completed all the pre-work and it’s now with the Treasury. That’s where it needs to be.
“Both Aberdeen and Inverness are in a strong position because they have done so much detailed work. It’s going through due process.”
Mr Mundell previously raised hopes the £2.9billion Aberdeen City Region Deal could be approved by the end of this month.
A decision is now not expected until the new year, but Mr Mundell insisted he was confident of getting a “positive outcome” in respect of both bids.
He added: “We are very supportive in the Scotland Office and I’m optimistic for a positive outcome.
“But you can’t just sign these deals off without having the appropriate Treasury scrutiny.
“The chancellor is very supportive of the principle, but it has got to stack up under analysis.”
Mr Mundell’s comments came after communities and local government minister James Wharton made similarly positive noises when quizzed by SNP MP Drew Hendry in the Commons earlier in the week.
Asked about the £300million Inverness City Region Deal proposal, the frontbencher said he wanted to see it “progress positively”.