Brexit's three silver linings for the European Union

I WAS saddened by the UK decision to leave the European Union, as I deeply believe in the benefits of unification. But Brexit can be an opportunity for Europe.

Competition for top spot in the world economy is fierce, and Western economies risk losing relevance. In this race, size increasingly matters. Without the UK, the EU will still be the world's second-largest economic bloc, with GDP of US$13.4 trillion.

Breaking away from this union, and its 444 million often highly skilled citizens, represents a risk. By 2050, the European economy is projected to make up only 9 per cent of the world economy. This puts the clout of any individual country - even that of relatively big players like the UK - into perspective.