NI enjoys growth in business activity

THE sharpest rise in the North’s business activity for over two-and-a-half years in December was seen, according to the Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for Northern Ireland.

Growth of overall activity accelerated for a fourth consecutive month and was the sharpest since May 2004.

Ulster Bank chief economist, Pat McArdle, said: “Private sector employment expanded at the fastest pace in four and a half years. Moreover, in terms of economic activity, NI consolidated its position ahead of the UK average and, indeed, its other main trading partners, ROI and the Eurozone.”