BUSINESS confidence in the North West has surged on the back on interest rate cuts, according to a major survey.
More half of firms questioned for the Dun & Bradstreet survey said they expected sales and profits to increase.
And 53 per cent believed they would increase exports during the first quarter of the year.
The survey found that the region - along with Wales - showed the highest rise in business confidence in the country.
"Successive interest rate cuts couple with a fall in Sterling have helped to bolster business confidence at least in the short term," said Philip Mellor, senior business analyst for D&B.
"However it is far from certain that confidence will remain at current levels once interest rates have stabilised."
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