IMF warns against Brexit uncertainty effects

The International Monetary Fund says uncertainty over Britain's membership in the EU risks negatively affecting the country's growth outlook.

According to Press TV, in its latest outlook for Britain, IMF said the country’s economy was expected to grow by 2.2 percent this year and next, matching official gross domestic product for 2015. But it warned that "uncertainty associated with the outcome of the forthcoming referendum on EU membership could also weigh on the outlook" along with various other factors including "potential shocks to global growth and asset prices."

The UK is preparing for a June 23 referendum on its EU future. British Prime Minister David Cameron has warned that the country's departure from the EU would threaten its economic and national security.

"Quantifying how a decision to leave the EU would affect the economy is difficult, given that the terms of staying in the EU are still being negotiated and the nature of post-exit relations with the EU is unknown. However, analysts have raised concerns that the exit debate could bring a period of uncertainty that could weigh on investment," the IMF said.

Earlier, hundreds of managers of top British companies urged voters to keep Britain in the EU, warning that an exit from the bloc would threaten jobs.

ME