Washington, Apr 13 (Prensa Latina) The United Kingdom''s possible exit from the European Union (EU), the so-called Brexit could cause serious economic damage in the region and the world, after altering trade relations, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
In the opinion of the authority, the referendum to decide permanence of the British in that 28-country bloc has already arisen uncertainty among investors, who are waiting for the vote scheduled for June 23.

In its report on "Global Economic Prospects," the entity considered that the negotiations for a possible withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the the EU would be extensive, something that would cause a long period of great uncertainty that could affect confidence and investment in a great extent, while unpredictability of markets would increase.

Withdrawal from the European single market would also change and reduce mutual trade and the financial flow, reducing key benefits of the economic cooperation and integration, the IMF added.

The world financial authority said the concern about Brexit also contributed to depreciation of the British currency (pound sterling) and add more political tension to the European situation, affected by the current waves of refugees, especially from the Middle East.

The institution decreased its prediction of the economic growth in the United Kingdom for 2016 to 1.9 percent from the precious 2.2 percent.