CONFIDENCE among manufacturers in the region is picking up.

A survey of businesses found that two thirds of firms questioned said they believed overseas orders would rise over the next year.

A third of employers said they hoped to increase staffing levels this year with 60 per cent expecting them to remain the same and only seven per cent envisaging a decrease.

More than 60 per cent of firms said they expected to increase sales to India, almost double the figure when the last survey was carried on three months ago. Sales to South East Asia in general are expected to rise long term.

Just over half of North West exporters feel that participation in the euro would be helpful for their businesses, compared to just one fifth who believe it wouldn't make any difference and only 10 per cent who view the single currency as unhelpful.

It is encouraging that, despite some exchange rate fears, orders to growing economies in India and Eastern Europe are on the increase," said David Coles, managing director of DHL International which carried out the survey.