Growth in manufacturing increases for seventh month in row

SUSTAINED growth in manufacturing in April resulted in output hitting its second-highest level in 11 years with export-led growth continuing to offer some positivity to the struggling economy.

The NCB Purchasing Managers’ Index, which measures manufacturing activity in the economy, rose to 56.0 in April from 55.7 in March.

It was the seventh month in a row to record an increase, while the survey showed that employment rose at a solid pace that was just short of the 11-year-high seen in March 2011.