A special summit will urge businesses in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire to use more Welsh to boost the rural economy.

The event will celebrate the achievements of the Bwrlwm ARFOR project, which supports businesses from village shops to multi-million-pound operations.

The project is part of the £11 million Welsh Government ARFOR Two scheme, which aims to create opportunities for young people and families to stay in or return to their home communities.

The ARFOR24 event, set for Thursday, November 28, at Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets, will feature Welsh Government minister for the economy, energy and planning, Rebecca Evans, as the keynote speaker.

Jeweller Elen Bowen and brewery Bragdy Cybi, who have benefited from a range of support, will exhibit.

The event is organised by Ynys Môn-based consultancy Lafan as part of the Welsh Government's Welsh language strategy, Cymraeg 2050, which aims for a million Welsh speakers by 2050. It will be hosted by TV personality Angharad Mair and feature presentations from businesses on embracing the Welsh language.

Zoe Pritchard, who leads the project for Lafan, said: "The Welsh language is a business advantage in Wales and our aim has been to create a buzz around the use of Welsh in the commercial environment.

"Our aim is to showcase the economic benefits that speaking Welsh and promoting the language in businesses can have and boost your bottom line."

The project has identified many businesses across the four counties that make good use of the language to offer great service, employ Welsh-speaking staff, and provide a unique selling point for visitors.

Ms Pritchard said: "If we don’t use Welsh or have the language actively seen or heard in shops and businesses across the ARFOR area, then we will be losing out as an economy."

The project has attracted hundreds of entries from the four counties for the Gwobrau Mwyaf Cymraeg (Most Welsh in the World) competition.

Among the trailblazers is Trimsaran's Tetrim Teas, whose wellbeing teas include exotic flavours like lion’s mane mushroom, where the mushrooms are encouraged to grow by being shouted at in Welsh.

Business manager Kelly Stockwell said: "We have discovered that the mushrooms respond to shocks such as shouting at them or playing loud music by growing more quickly so of course we shout at them in Welsh."

Sglods, a Llanon fish and chip shop, was the winner of the Most Welsh in the World Award for the Best Welsh Brand.

Aled Roberts said: "Welsh is an important part of our business because Welsh is very much used in this area."

Nia Roberts added: "We wanted to name the business in Welsh and it's an easy name that anyone can understand and say."

For more information about Bwrlwm ARFOR and the support that’s available, contact Lafan by emailing post@lafan.cymru.