Lagarde urges Britain to remain in EU

The Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF), Christine Lagarde, on Friday urged Britain to maintain its membership of the European Union as it was beneficial to the country.
Lagarde made the call during a dialogue in Vienna, Austria, saying it was quite beneficial for Britain to vote to stay in EU.

The IMF chief said it was imperative for the people to know that there were jobs and income gains from increased trade within the EU.

She added that United Kingdom would continue to benefit from the Union, stressing that “there is, in my view, a clear case as to how the UK has benefited and will continue to benefit from its membership of the European Union.”

Lagarde noted that being part of the EU had greatly aided the transformation of the UK into a dynamic and vibrant economy.

“Membership in the EU has made the UK a richer economy, but it has also made it a more diverse, more exciting and more creative country,” Chinese news agency Xinhua quoted the IMF chief as saying at the dialogue.

Lagarde, however, warned that there were risks in leaving the Union.

She said, “We have already been on record that the economic risks of leaving are firmly to the downside.

“In all countries, there are people struggling in this new environment, but for the majority of citizens, the EU has been a great success.”