INDUSTRIAL turnover rose in March after a decline in February, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office. They showed that turnover increased by 4 per cent during the month in manufacturing industry, after a 7.6 per cent decline in February.

Turnover in March was 12.3 per cent up on the same month in 1995. This was an increase on the 10.3 per cent annual rate the previous month, but well below the 19 to 20 per cent rates shown in late 1995 and January of this year. Economists arc watching industrial production and turnover figures closely, with some believing that slowdown in growth may be underway due to slower exports in areas such as electronics.