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The
Confederation of British Industry's order book balance for
manufacturers fell to -17 this month, its lowest level since
October, from -15 in January and a touch weaker than its average
level since 1995.
The reading was weaker than a median forecast of -12 in a
Reuters poll of economists.
British manufacturing has lagged the recovery in much of the
rest of the country's economy since 2013 and a slowdown in
emerging markets is expected to hold the sector back this year.
Expectations for output in the next three months slipped back to
+11 from +14 in January, the CBI survey showed.
Rain Newton-Smith, the CBI's director of economics, said
exporters needed help from finance minister George Osborne when
he announces his yearly budget statement next month.
"Despite the turbulence in emerging markets, economies such as
China still represent a huge opportunity for British industry,"
she said in a statement.
The CBI wants the government to create a national exports
commission, grouping businesses, trade experts and politicians,
to advise on how to boost overseas sales around the world.
(Writing by William Schomberg, editing by Andy Bruce)
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