Overview of the economy of Cornouaille

Services

With almost 58,000 jobs, the service sector represents more than half of the total workforce of Cornouaille.

Business services (post and telecommunications, advice and assistance, operational services, research and development). employed around 9,700 people in 1999, i.e. 9% of the total workforce (the regional figure is 12% and 13% for France excluding Paris). Although this sector of activity is less well represented in Cornouaille than in the rest of Brittany, it must be said that business services are responsible for the increase in employment This dynamism is equally evident in business creation as the economic fabric of Cornouaille has grown by an additional 202 establishments since 1996. (57% of new businesses).

According to a joint survey carried out by the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Regional Council and INSEE (National Statistics Institute) the demand by local companies for external services varies. The more a service is used, the more companies will call on outside service providers. Thus, some basic services are used by more than 80% of establishments: computer maintenance, accountancy, legal advice, training. Other more specific services are limited to particular activities, as in the case of industrial production equipment maintenance. More sophisticated services such as information research and technology monitoring are rarely used.

The two determining factors in the choice of an outside service provider for operational services such as temporary workers, transport, and waste treatment, are cost and proximity. For those services which demand expertise and specialised knowledge, external service providers are most strongly present in Rennes, Nantes and Paris. This is also the case for information research, strategic monitoring, translation, interpreting, financial management, etc..

It is therefore apparent that companies in Cornouaille call upon local outside services more frequently than upon those within the rest of Finistère or Brittany.

Employment in service industries within the district of Quimper

	Activities Number Transport 3,209 Finance 2,956 Property 622 Business services 9,682 Individual services 7,848 Education, health, social affairs 23,355 Administration 10,143 TOTAL  57,815 Source: INSEE, RGP 1999