New figures show that activity in the manufacturing sector of the economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a year in August.
The NCB Purchasing Managers' Index recorded 54.3, up from 53.1 in July and well above the 50 mark which indicates no change.
NCB chief economist Dermot O'Brien said activity was boosted by 'buoyant' export orders, while employment levels resumed growth after a fall in July.
He said optimism was signalled by a build-up of stocks of finished goods in anticipation of future growth. This is the first time this has happened since October 2004.
But costs again rose sharply, with companies reporting rises in paper and plastics products. The costs index was 63.5. This led to an acceleration in the index which measures prices charged by firms for their goods to 56.8.
