Activity in the services sector grew last month to its highest level since February 2001, according to the latest NCB Purchasing Managers' Services Index.
The index rose in March for a fourth consecutive month to 59.0 - up from 57.8 in February. A figure above 50 signals growth, below 50 contraction.
'This report shows the services sector to be accelerating in that both overall business activity and incoming new business are showing their strongest growth since early 2001,' Eunan King, NCB's Senior Economist, said.
'While employment is not yet accelerating at such a rate, the back-up work outstanding will push firms to hire in the months ahead,' he added.
Today's survey said that rising business activity was backed by further growth of new business and continued positive sentiment among businesses for the year ahead.
