Business optimism vanishes

A SURVEY among Northern Ireland companies has revealed that business confidence is at its lowest ebb for many years.

A SURVEY among Northern Ireland companies has revealed that business confidence is at its lowest ebb for many years.

The survey, carried out during the first half of this month by the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland, showed that there had been a sharp fall in business confidence during the summer months, and also a decline in confidence in the economy.

CBI Northern Ireland's acting director, Ms Deirdre Stewart, said business confidence had been severely shaken by the disturbances in July and August.

Other factors which affected the fall in confidence were the BSE crisis, and the usual concerns about late payments, tight margins, and high energy costs.

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Exports to the Republic had held up well.