‘UK weeks away from Brexit deal!’ Lord Mayor of London reveals free trade ‘win win win’.
THE UK has been backed to secure a Brexit transition deal before the end of the month, the Lord Mayor of the City of London announced as he embarks on a trade mission to China.
Charles Bowman, an ambassador for Britain's financial services sector, is "quietly confident" that Britain is weeks away from reaching an agreement with the European Union over a time-limited implementation for the divorce.
It comes after Brexit Secretary David Davis stressed last week that he wants to shake hands on a transition agreement this month so talks can move onto the UK's future relationship with the EU.
Speaking ahead of a nine-day visit to China, Mr Bowman said: "The Prime Minister gave her keynote speech here in Mansion House two weeks ago. She reaffirmed our three asks around transition and I would be quietly confident that we will get that transition agreement by the end of March.
"She reaffirmed our need for talent and an appropriate immigration policy to retain that. A win-win for all concerned.
"And with regard to trade, she too supported what we have been promoting for sometime, which was a practical, pragmatic, but brave free trade agreement that is built out of mutual access, regulatory alignment, supervisory cooperation and, only if required, dispute resolution.
"That's a win-win-win, and increasingly businesses I talk to around Europe recognise the significance and importance of getting that."
Representatives from major financial institutions will fly out with the Lord Mayor on March 19 to help drum up trade for the City.
He will be joined by HSBC, Standard Chartered, Citi Bank, JP Morgan and investors Standard Life Aberdeen, Barings and Green Investment Group.
