THE economic outlook In Northern Ireland for 1997 is encouraging, with strong consumer demand, increased output and further employment growth, according to the latest Economic Outlook Business Review.

The review, which is edited by Prof Desmond Rea, is sponsored by the First Trust Bank. It says that potential threats to the economy have mainly disappeared, except for the BSE crisis.

It cites the strong growth in personal disposable incomes, boosted by record levels of employment and low interest rates.

The housing market is also continuing to improve, with a strong rise in prices across Northern Ireland. However, manufacturing output is described as relatively flat during 1996.