QUEENSLAND recorded the highest business confidence level of all the Australian states in April, according to the latest NAB Monthly Business Survey.

The state's trend rate for business confidence was +five points.

Treasurer Curtis Pitt claimed the outcome as an indication that business and industry were responding to the new Labor government's "positive economic agenda".

"Confidence continues to grow under our economic policy settings and this is reflected by other measures including retail sales, building construction and merchandise exports," Mr Pitt said.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures released last week showed Queensland also had the strongest real retail growth of any mainland state in the March quarter at 1.9%.

Queensland merchandise exports, according to the ABS, were also up 10.8% to $11.4 billion in the March quarter compared to the same period last year.

The number of dwelling approvals in Queensland also rose 3% in March - up 26% on the same time last year.