The latest Ulster Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) says that, overall, April saw an “encouraging start to the second quarter”.

Growth accelerated in export orders, employment and general business activity, with output rising at its fastest rate so far this year.

Companies also saw the size of their workforce increase more quickly than at any time in the last 10 months. However, overheads are becoming a concern, with the weakness of sterling making companies’ costs higher.

Ulster Bank chief economist Richard Ramsey (pictured) said: “Northern Ireland’s private sector has had a good start to the second quarter of 2017. Manufacturing activity remains relatively buoyant, but construction firms saw activity stagnate and new orders contract in April.

“Private-sector firms remain confident about growth prospects for the year ahead, but they are not as optimistic as their counterparts in Great Britain.”