BUSINESSES in the district are confident of a successful 12 months despite global uncertainty, according to a survey from the West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber’s survey covering the final three months of last year found manufacturing export sales increased, with net balance up 17 points to +27 per cent, which was its highest level since the first quarter of 2015. Meanwhile, the service sector remained unchanged at +14 per cent.

Growth in the area’s service sectors fell from its second quarter 2014 peak, with net balance during the final quarter of last year decreased by three points to +14 per cent.

Manufacturers who were surveyed said they were more optimistic about the next 12 months, with a forecast of an increase in turnover and profits which were both up on the third quarter of 2016.

But there was better news in manufacturing with a five-point increase for the final quarter of last year to +13 per cent. Both sectors recorded increases in forward orders.

Companies also reported bouncing back from the EU referendum vote, with the number of firms reporting an increase in their capital investment increasing for both service and manufacturing sectors by 12 points and eight points respectively. Investment in training also increased in the final three months of last year across all sectors.

There was an eight-point rise to +24 per cent for employee numbers, which was the second consecutive quarter of growth.

Service sector employment was up, with the net balance unchanged on the previous quarter in 2016 at +14 per cent.

But 59 per cent of companies reported difficulties in recruiting appropriate staff.

Around 40 per cent of survey respondents said they were operating at full capacity.

Roger Marsh, chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, said: “2017 promises to be an interesting year.

“The survey shows businesses approaching the year with growing optimism and confidence.

“Strong expert activity has helped to maintain growth, particularly among manufacturers seizing opportunities offered by sterling’s depreciation.

“However, the weaker pound also brings challenges, with concerns about rising input prices, although this could bring opportunities to look for suppliers closer to home to mitigate risk.”

Simon Pilling, a partner at law firm Bond Dickinson, which sponsored the survey, said: “The last year has certainly delivered some surprise results for Yorkshire, the country and on the other side of the Atlantic.

“Throughout June and July the entire country was wondering what the implications of the Brexit vote were going to be.

“When we got over the initial announcement and businesses and individuals had time to reflect, we saw a period of recovery and confidence in the region began building back up again.”