Business confidence improving

THE State's small firms believe the business environment is improving and many of them are looking to increase their staffing levels.

ISME, the small business body, said in its spring trend bulletin that there has been a significant improvement in business confidence, employment prospects and investment opportunities for small enterprises.

It found that business optimism levels among SMEs have significantly improved and are at their highest since the beginning of 2001, with 35% of firms more optimistic about their prospects. "The improved optimism is particularly noticeable in the manufacturing sector, which, while continuing to lag behind other sectors, has seen a considerable turnaround, with improved prospects over the next 12 months. This time last year many manufacturing companies were on their knees and threatened with extinction.