New figures show cross-border trade has reached an all-time high of €7.4bn, despite uncertainty around Brexit.

The figures for 2018 have been released by InterTradeIreland.

Its latest business monitor indicates over one-third of firms in Northern Ireland buy from suppliers in Ireland.

Source: InterTradeIreland

The vast majority of firms are either in growth mode (44%) or stable (42%).

Many firms are also feeling optimistic, with 27% planning to invest in staff.

Meanwhile, 31% say they intend to invest in marketing - a sign of how competitive the current environment is.

Source: InterTradeIreland

However nearly one-third of business are operating below capacity, while many micro-businesses are just about breaking even (33%).

Sourcing appropriate staff is a growing concern, with firms citing lack of appropriate skills in the workforce and difficulties in recruiting the right employees.

"This is an issue right across the board - large firms are hit hardest, with more than half (56%) reporting problems in this area, but it's having an increasing impact on both smaller (26%) and mid-sized firms (41%)", InterTradeIreland says.

Source: InterTradeIreland

Over half of businesses say moving to a low carbon economy is important - and recognise there will be opportunities in the sector: 70% view skills as an enabler to the transition.

InterTradeIreland's quarterly Business Monitor survey is based on the views of more than 750 business managers across Ireland and Northern Ireland.