According to a recent survey of 426 SMEs, carried out by business group CBI, the majority of SMEs are in an upbeat mood about the first quarter of 2016 – despite the slow end to last year. Of those surveyed, there was particular optimism over export opportunities for the year ahead. Commenting on the news, Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Economics Director, said, “It’s encouraging to see smaller manufacturers’ optimism and orders stabilising, although the picture remains fairly flat across the board with many firms treading water.”
