Most European economies are in very good shape, and the continental economy reflects this.

One subtle aspect of the role of economic intelligence is the interdependence of the continental and world economies.

"Being a continental economy is an advantage because it has competition within."

For business, the hoped-for payoff is that the rail link will bring the British and continental economies closer together.

First, Mrs Thatcher has, through policies of liberalisation, put the economy on a footing similar to the more efficient continental economies.

The Marshall Plan also encouraged West Germany's revival as an integral part of the continental economy.

Europe is a vast continental economy and, from 1 January next year when Slovenia joins, the euro zone will have 315 million citizens.

This is not widely known, but is worth pointing out, since it appears to be a characteristic of a vast continental economy.

And, as things stand, there is little indication that the British and continental economies are showing signs of moving into step.

The euro zone interest rate, by contrast is 2 percent and may be reduced further to try to restart stalled continental economies, especially in Germany.