:: The County

Nowadays
The county is bounded to the north by Ceredigion, to the east by Powys, Neath Port Talbot and Swansea, to the south by the Bristol Channel and to the west by Pembrokeshire. Carmarthenshire has a population of approximately 170,000, 55.1% of whom are Welsh speakers. The surface generally is upland and mountainous. Fforest Fawr and Black Mountain extend into the east of the county and the Cambrian Mountains into the north. The south coast contains many fishing villages and sandy beaches. The highest point is the Fan Brycheiniog, 2,525 feet (770 m). Carmarthenshire is the largest historic county by area in Wales.

Principal towns are Ammanford, Burry Port, Carmarthen, Kidwelly, Llanelli, Llandeilo, Newcastle Emlyn and Llandovery, Sandy, St. Clears, Whitland, Pendine. The main rivers are the Tywi, the Loughor (which forms the eastern boundary with Glamorgan), and the Gwendraeth Fawr. The principal industries are agriculture, forestry, fishing and tourism. Although Llanelli is by far the larger town in the county, the county town remains in Carmarthen, mainly due to its central location.

There are approximately 8700 business operating in Carmarthenshire, of which 77% are sole trader or employ up to 5 people, 10% employ 6 - 10, 5% between 11 - 20, 3% employ between 21 to 50, 0.7% with between 51 - 100 employees, 0.3% employ 101 to 250, and 0.1% with over 250 employees. The remaining 2% are classifed as unknown. Source: Betamodel (Yellow Pages / Experian)

The Carmarthenshire County Council mid term review on their Strategic Audit 2000 -2010 states that the number of VAT registered businesses in Carmarthenshire has grown since 2000. Growth rates between 1997 and 2005 have been higher in tourism, transport, education/health, property, ICT and business services related services.

Sectors in Carmarthenshire can be categorised by their importance to the local economy in terms of current employment and by their future Gva/employment growth prospects.

Sector with  high growth prospects and a relatively high share of emplyment are auto components, retailing and wholesaling, tourism, professional services, knowledge, education, health/social and construction. Carmarthenshire needs to build on these strengths, improve existing firms and increase business numbers. 

Sectors with relatively high share of employment but low growth potential are agriculture, metal goods, public passenger/freight road transprt, public administration. Carmarthenshire needs to stabalise employment in these sectors, upgrade quality and assist diversification.

Sectors with relatively low share of employment but promising growth prospects are food & drink, computing services, creative, environmental goods, non food primary processing, biotechnology, other transport services, electronics and electrical engineering. Carmarthenshire needs to promote new start ups, the growth of existing firms and inward investment

Sectors with a relatively low share of empoyment and low growth prospects cover all other sectors and include mining, manufacturing, banking, finance and insurance.

The Vision for the county

"An area of high opportunity, combining a vibrant economy, inclusiveness and superb quality of life.

Centre of business excellence. competing in growth, high value  added markets and committed to continuous innovation, technologically advanced with a healthy, high skilled and entrepreneurial workforce.

At the forefront of new ideas and new ways of working, while continuing to build on its exceptional strengths of environment, community and culture, to create an inclusive, diverse and dynamic economy.

Sustained through a strong sense of local pride and ownership and a partnership culture of collarobative working"