Approximately 83% of traders reported that they were doing well or well at the time. According to a survey conducted by BDO Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, cash flow remains a challenge in both the manufacturing and services sectors.

The Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce hopes to utilise these results to sway the decisions made by the next UK-Labour administration in Northern Ireland, according to its chief executive, Suzanne Wylie.

Although company confidence was positive across the board, she noted that the data indicated concerns about cash flow, particularly in the manufacturing sector.

According to the survey, manufacturers' fears about inflation decreased to 44% in the second quarter from 76% at the same time last year.

This decline was also seen in the services sector, where 40% of respondents expressed concern about inflation, down from 74% in the second quarter of 2023.