Confidence in Dutch industry shot up in March to its highest level for three years, national statistics agency CBS said on Friday. It has risen to 5.8 against 1.7 in February.

The stock position improved in March and there was more optimism about production over the next three months. Confidence in order books also improved, but to a lesser extent, says the CBS.
Other sectors showing a rise in confidence are staffing agencies, accountants and economic advisers, where expectations of a rise in turnover over the next three months has risen from +31 in February to +41 in March.