Northern Ireland's private sector grew faster than UK average in March, driven by manufacturing optimism, output, new orders, and employment increase.

Northern Ireland's private sector grew faster than the UK average in March, with all four sectors (construction, services, manufacturing, retail) reporting growth. The Ulster Bank's Northern Ireland Purchasing Managers' Index showed a six-year high in business optimism, especially for manufacturers. The growth in output, new orders, and employment accelerated last month, despite inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions.