Exports rise despite strong pound

MANUFACTURERS HAVE learnt to live with the strong pound, according to a survey today that found more than half expected exports to grow over the coming months. More than 53 per cent of manufacturers said their export sales would rise over the three months to September, the second successive quarter of optimism, it found.

The survey of more than 1,600 business and finance directors by Dun & Bradstreet showed that the recovery from the economic slowdown was spread through all sectors and not confined to the booming services industry. The pound has strengthened by 10 per cent since the end of last year.