Small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) could create 60,000 jobs next year, lobby group ISME said yesterday.

Almost a third of firms plan to take on staff. “It is possible that a net 60,000 jobs can be created in the SME sector in 2015,”

ISME chief executive Mark Fielding said yesterday at the publication of the group’s latest survey of firms’ beliefs in prospects for the economy.

“Although we have officially been out of recession for some time, SMEs have only really been experiencing positive signs of recovery in the past six months,” Mr Fielding said.

Positive

“While the GDP figures have been very positive, the domestic economy, made up in the main by micro, small and medium businesses, has been slow to show signs of recovery.”

ISME warned that rising demand for pay hikes threatens the sector.

“Less loose talk of increased pay and more real effort in incentivising job creation, reforming the social welfare system and tackling the black economy will assist the Government’s drive for jobs,” Mr Fielding added.

Exporters are the most confident sector, with all indicators in the positive. Retail is the least confident, he added.

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