A decision on whether Scottish Enterprise will help fund a new exhibition and conference centre in Aberdeen will not be taken until the end of the year at the earliest.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said the agency was currently reviewing the plans for a new £185million facility in Bucksburn.
He added that the process was taking longer than expected.
Mr Swinney said: “Significant work will be required as part of SE’s due diligence process to get the appropriate level of detail necessary for any funding to be considered.
“It is therefore unlikely that a decision will be made until at least the end of the calendar year.”
Mr Swinney said Scottish Enterprise hoped to build a “strong partnership” with the council in order to progress the project to next stage in development.
The city council is working with Henry Boot Developments and Sasanbell Architects on the plans to replace the existing AECC in Bridge of Don with a facility near the Rowett Institute.
The team behind the 1,500 capacity venue say it will attract major music acts which have snubbed the existing centre in the past.
North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said: “It is essential Scottish ministers support the exciting plans for a new AECC.
“It is vital that they back the scheme with funding rather than seek excuses for not doing so.
“But I am hopeful the letter I have received from Mr Swinney gives us cause for optimism that the Scottish Government will indeed give this project the backing it deserves.
“However long it takes it seems inconceivable that we would reach a situation where ministers would not support Aberdeen’s new conference centre when £25million was provided by Scottish Enterprise for the new Hydro in Glasgow.”
Mr Baker said it would make a “huge difference” if the Scottish Government actively supported the project.
“If they do not it will only compound the view that when it comes to government support it is one rule for the central belt and another for the north-east,” he added.