EXPORTERS are experiencing a growth in confidence, a new survey shows.

The DHL Quarterly Indicator, which has been operating since 1992, reveals that the North-west exporters who expect to increase orders in the long term (over 12 months) has jumped from 62 per cent in December, 2000, to 70 per cent this quarter.

That is well over the national average of 64 per cent.

Elsewhere in the report, it is revealed that export companies' support for Britain joining the euro has dropped to 44 per cent compared with 55 per cent 12 months ago.

Sixty-eight per cent of exporters expect their workforce to stay the same over the coming year while a quarter plan to increase the number of employees.

Details from the survey show that 65 per cent of exporters expect to increase trade in South-east Asia -- a jump of 13 per cent over the past 12 months.

Other key markets for North-west exporters are Japan (up 11 per cent in a year) and the Middle East (up seven per cent).

Mr David Coles, managing director of DHL UK Ltd, said: "It is encouraging to see North-west exporters remaining confident about trade prospects despite concerns about a downturn in the economy.

"It is a tribute to their resourcefulness that they are continually looking to new markets to keep order books healthy."