A survey of small and medium sized businesses in Pembrokeshire has found most looking forward to a brighter future. The independent survey of more than 800 businesses was conducted on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council and the Objective 1 local partnership - the Pembrokeshire Partnership Management Board. It was financed by Objective 1 and the county council. The survey found more than four in 10 were anticipating growth in their sales or net profit - a huge improvement compared to a 2003 survey which found only one in 10 so buoyant. Much of the confidence appears to be based on improved business performance. However, the trend is not reflected in agriculture, which continues to suffer from low levels of confidence. There is also concern that local businesses' increasing reliance on local markets, along with the county's poor transport infrastructure, might lead them to overlook opportunities further afield. Clr. John Allen-Mirehouse, who is cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and business support as well as chair of the PPMB said the high level of confidence was just one of a number of positive indicators in the report. "Other findings of the survey show that this confidence could also result in more jobs in Pembrokeshire, as one business in four tells us that they expect to recruit more staff. There are also indications that county businesses are becoming more competitive," he said. However, he added that the survey also found that three quarters of county firms conducted their business mainly within Pembrokeshire - another increase from the 2003 survey. "It is understandable that businesses will wish to take advantage of the spin-off benefits from the major investments taking place and planned in Pembrokeshire, but equally it is important that valuable business opportunities beyond the council's boundaries are also exploited," he said, "At some point the additional expenditure in Pembrokeshire as a result of the investments we are now experiencing will begin to decline and at that point county businesses will need to access