Bill Gates warns that "brexit" will leave less attractive country

             

London - American businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates warned that the UK will be a place "less attractive to do business and invest" to leave the European Union (EU), in a letter published Friday in the newspaper "The Times".

In his letter, the richest man in the world, which has invested around US $ 1 billion in various initiatives in the country, stressed the importance of being able to have access to the European single market and influence in decision-making in Brussels.

"Investments in the UK make sense only for assets that have as excellent universities with a great legacy in science and innovation, health leading companies like GlaxoSmithKline and access to the single market," he wrote.

"Although possibly be a matter that should be decided by the British people, it is clear to me that if the UK decides to leave the EU, will be a substantially less attractive place to do business and invest," he says.

Gates said that in case of "brexit" (out of the UK EU), it would be difficult to recruit the right people from across the continent and "more difficult to obtain the necessary funding for public goods such as new medicines and clean energy solutions, to those necessary partnerships. "

The founder of Microsoft, who invests his fortune in beneficial causes, said the negotiating capacity of the United Kingdom in Brussels and its influence in "critical debate."

"Europe is stronger with the United Kingdom and in the United Kingdom is stronger, more prosperous and influential as the European Union member," he said.

The tycoon's speech coincides with the publication by the consulting firm Charterhouse Research of a survey indicating that 62% of large companies-which have a turnover of more than 25 million pounds (32 million euros) anuais- believe "brexit" would harm the economy.

The output of the EU cares less entrepreneurs and small businesses, and, according to this study, only 34% of firms with a turnover below 100 thousand pounds per year (127,000 euros) said it would be counterproductive.

The British will decide on Thursday in a historic referendum whether they want to stay or leave the European Union.

Prior consultation campaign was suspended temporarily as a show of respect after the death yesterday of Labour MP John Cox, who died after being hit by shots fired by a man on a street in Birstall, in northern England.