Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Brexit triumph: London to become 'business centre of Europe' in blow to Brussels

Brexit triumph: London to become 'business centre of Europe' in blow to Brussels

THE European Union has been told to be "very well aware" Brexit could transform London into the most important business centre across the continent. "The big risk that I see is that if that happens the new Great Britain will concentrate very much on building a business environment out of London and London will turn into something of a combined Hong Kong-Singapore for continental Europe.

European Union leaders had hoped Brexit would catapult European financial centres like Frankfurt and Paris to the forefront of the international business scene.

But financial services expert Andreas Treichl warned Brussels Brexit could potentially help British business deliver a "big blow" to European competitors.

Speaking to CNBC, Mr Treichl said: "The big risk that I see is that if that happens the new Great Britain will concentrate very much on building a business environment out of London and London will turn into something of a combined Hong Kong-Singapore for continental Europe.

"That’s going to be a big blow to the rest of the EU – you’ve got lots of talent there, you have the infrastructure, you have the facilities.

"Don’t forget that London is not so much the banking but the services centre not only of Europe but of the world."

Mr Treichl, the CEO of one of the largest financial services providers in the world, the Erste Group, told the bloc they should beware of the risks Brexit could pose to the union.

He continued: "That’s big risk and that’s something the EU should very well aware in the negotiations over the next months.

"The country with the strongest capital market culture will, unfortunately, leave the European Union.

"It will be up to the Germans and the French to develop that together which makes it a lot more difficult."

Early signs of economic struggles in the European Union appeared earlier this week when France recorded an unexpected slowdown in its economy, fuelling concerns of the potential risks of Britain leaving the EU without a deal.

Latest reports from the French Office of National Statistics revealed the French economy stagnated in the second quarter of 2019.

The weakening resulted in a lower growth that the +0.3 predicted earlier this year. Junior economy minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher however dismissed concerns about the state of the economy, insisting investment, as well as upcoming tax cuts, will drive future growth.

Ms Pannier-Runacher said: "At this stage, there is no reason to be anxious about our pace of growth.

"Investment in business is growing, and that typically calls for future jobs and growth."

Germany also has been facing growing risks of a crisis as the German manufacturing sector continued to contract despite Angela Merkel dismissing concerns.

Economic expert Shweta Singh said: “Germany just about avoided a recession towards the end of last year.

“Growth this year will remain quite weak so consensus expectations for Germany, for example, have been consistently revised downwards.

“And you’re looking at growth of just north of 1 percent which is a significant down take from where Germany was just in 2017 growing at 2.6 percent. And 1 percent is way below Germany’s potential growth rate.

“And at the same time, the headwinds that Germany faces and the global economy faces is unlikely to disappear immediately.".

Boris Johnson has fuelled additional concern about the European economy as the Prime Minister has insisted he will ensure Brexit is delivered "come what may," warning he is willing to go through with a no deal unless the bloc agrees to change the withdrawal agreement.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×