May to meet EU business leaders

British Prime Minister Theresa May will meet business leaders from the European Union (EU) to voice concerns about the future of UK-EU trade.

Experts from groups including the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and BusinessEurope will stress the need for a transitional deal that preserves the status quo after Brexit, reports the BBC.

According to sources, the experts will urge the British government to clarify the future relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU.

The next round of Brexit talks is due to start in mid-December.

Apart from May, Business Secretary Greg Clark, Brexit Secretary David Davis and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Barclay will also attend the meeting.

The CBI and the Institute of Directors will be represented, as will business organisations from France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Sweden, Poland, the Czech Republic and Belgium.

CBI Director General Carolyn Fairbairn told the BBC that it was an important meeting.

"The urgency that's shared by business across Europe is growing by the day."

She said a CBI survey showed that 10 per cent of firms had "already pressed the button on their contingency plans" in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

--IANS

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