Figures released this morning show that growth in manufacturing activity accelerated in December, having slowed over the previous couple of months.
NCB's Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 53.1, compared with 51.3 in November. Any number over 50 indicates growth.
NCB economist Eunan King said a sharp rise in new orders was supported by strong domestic demand and export orders from the UK and Eastern Europe.
Employment levels grew for the 11th month in a row, though the rate of growth was still modest at 51.9. Costs continued to rise sharply, with the input price index still at 66.5 despite easing for the second month in a row. Firms blamed escalating raw material costs and the knock-on effects of higher oil prices.
Prices charged by companies grew at the fastest rate for seven months, but at 54.3 it still lagged well behind the increase in costs.
