Partner Article

EU and UK: businesses don't need another barrier

Last week, David Cameron gave his speech on the Eurozone, and what Britains role in it will be going forward. Many have aired their views on the economic impact and what the result of Britain pulling out will be. I agree with this if we leave the Union it will have a long lasting bitter effect. Britain benefits from being part of the single market which is also its largest trading partner. EU also has a very strong voice and has negotiated some very good trade agreements with the rest of the world. We will lose all that - plus, there will be a backlash against British businesses in forms of trade tariffs and duties

However, what hasnt been discussed as much is the matter of free movement of people - we have had a lot of people coming from Europe who are contributing to the UK economy and likewise a large number of Brits live in France/Spain and other European countries.Clearly, all that will suffer.

There has been a lot of discussion around immigration into the UK mostly trigged due to economic crisis. It is a natural that in time of economic downturn with high unemployment and people struggling to make ends meet, they look for something to blame it on. However, the truth is, Britain with London in particular has always been a melting pot of cultures and has thrived through its openness and cultural mix. From my point of view, the current attitudes towards immigration are not motivated by anti-immigrant feeling. It rather highlights that the public wants the debate on immigration to be prioritised and handled in a sensible manner.

In todays increasingly competitive world, we should nurture and welcome talent from all over the world and especially allow people from Europe coming to Britain without hindrances. At the end of the day the EU is one of our most important trade partners. I have benefitted from immigrating to Britain and my successful business has added to the British economy. Starting a company for anyone is equally difficult, but what is harder is sustaining and growing it. Hundreds of thousands of new companies start every year in the UK and over two thirds of them fail within first 3 years. If you are doing business in a foreign country, you will face obvious problems like culture, contacts or market understanding. We dont need another barrier to do business.

People from outside the UK can add to the dynamic entrepreneurialism in the country and add to the Chancellors growth targets for 2013. The World Bank report has also shown that immigrant employment is more cyclical than native-born employments. In the UK, as opposed to other countries such as the US, foreign employment has decreased. If we looked back in time we would see that this picture looked different years ago. When skilled work force is needed the economy will get talent from the outside. If this is not needed, immigration will go down naturally. I do understand that immigration must be controlled via controls at the border, visa regulation and respective laws.Tony Blairhas warned David Cameron andEd Milibandthat Britain faces long-term policy challenges from Europe and immigration to excessive banker-bashing which could cause serious damage to the country if political leaders handle them badly.

Hence why, I support the Centre for British Influence Across Europe point of view. The group urges that Britain must offer global leadership to keep people and markets free and countries at peace. To do this Britain must renew its purpose in the 21st century, strengthening its key alliances in the capitals and congresses that contribute to our prosperity and security.

January will see the launch of the Migration Matters Trust campaign backed by Londons conservative Mayor Boris Johnson, to challenge the new anti-immigration consensus as an influx of new arrivals has brought complaints that the rights of native UK citizens are being overlooked. Former Labour minister Barbara Roche and the Conservative MP Gavin Barwell urged leaders have a full, frank and honest discussion about immigration whilst letting Britains ethnic minority communities play a full part in that debate.

British 2011 census figures showed that 13 per cent of residents of England and Wales were born outside the UK. The new campaign will confront the challenges modern migration patterns pose to society, but highlight the positive impact of immigration. In particular, it will warn that new rules requiring a migrant to be earning at least 31,000 a year if they want to stay in the UK will disqualify many of the brightest talents from around the world from coming to this country.

When it comes to immigration, we have to see the wider picture. Hopefully my story can convince others of the value of migrants. The UK is in the midst of a severe recession and immigration can be a part of the solution

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Rajesh Agrawal .