‘Brexit’ Threat a Challenge for Global Economy: G20

G20 countries warn that Britain’s exit from the EU will be a significant challenge for the world economy.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde called on Britain and the EU to save their “long marriage” through dialogue. (Photo: Reuters)

The G20 leading economies warned on Friday that the possibility that Britain would pull out of the European Union is a significant challenge to the world economy.

Finance ministers of the elite group meeting in Washington said the global economy continues to face significant dangers from volatile financial markets, collapsed commodity prices and low inflation, as they pledged to work to shore up growth.

Geopolitical conflicts, terrorism, refugee flows, and the shock of a potential UK exit from the European Union also complicate the global economic environment.

<b>G20 Finance Ministers</b>

The statement came during the Spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, where officials warned of potentially “severe” damage to the regional and global economies from the so-called Brexit.

IMF chief Christine Lagarde called on Britain and the EU to save their “long marriage” through dialogue.

I think that all parties should rise above the domestic circle and should have a broader view of what lies ahead in terms of collective endeavour. Because keeping Europe together after what it has gone through over the last century, and what the risks are on the horizon.... is actually a huge asset which is vastly underrated in my view.

<b>Christine Lagarde</b>