LONDON, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson hit back Tuesday at Brexit "gloom merchants", telling business leaders in London of Britain's fantastic future out of the European Union.
Johnson was speaking at the annual conference in London of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), one of the country's leading organisations for business owners.
In an upbeat speech, Johnson attacked the "prognostications of gloom", adding Brexit presents an "unrivalled opportunity" for a new free trade deal with the EU.
"I think it's very important that as we set out in this journey we are positive about the outcome for the very good reason the outcome will be fantastic for this country," said Johnson.
At the conference, the BCC published a Brexit Business Priorities report, a blueprint aimed as a guideline for the British government in its EU negotiations.
The report synthesizes feedback from over 400 businesses, along with nearly 20,000 responses to chamber surveys.
"It puts forward priorities for action across seven key areas where business communities want practical solutions and certainty," said a BCC spokesman.
The report says BCC evidence confirms that Europe will remain a key market for British exporters and importers well into the future. As a consequence, the report adds, it is imperative the government achieves a pragmatic British-EU deal that facilitates continued trade.
On the labor market, the report urged the government to provide certainty for businesses on the residence rights of existing EU workers, provide clarity on hiring from EU countries during the negotiation period, and avoid expensive and bureaucratic processes for post-Brexit hires from the EU.
On trade, it wants the government to aim for minimise tariffs, seek to avoid costly non-tariff barriers, grandfather existing EU free trade agreements with third countries, and expand a trade mission program.
