LONDON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Wales was urged by Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb and Trade and Investment Minister Lord Maude to make 2016 the country's year of exports on their start of a two-day mission on Thursday.

　　The officials want Welsh businesses to showcase their innovation and excellence to the world as part of an ambitious drive by the British government to see 100,000 new companies in the UK export their goods and services to overseas customers by 2020.

　　The ministers set out their challenge as they visited successful Welsh exporters including Airbus, Magellan Aerospace and financial services company DTCC.

　　Secretary Crabb said: "Wales is home to innovative and world-beating companies that have achieved great export success, but we can and should do more."

　　"Last year 4,000 Welsh companies took their first steps into export, and this year we are already up to 3,000," he said.

　　Lord Maude said: "It has been inspiring seeing the enthusiasm for exporting in Wales, and hearing the success that can be achieved when companies start to expand overseas. With exports approaching 3 billion pounds (4.3 billion U.S. dollars) a year in Wales alone, there is clearly demand out there for UK products and services."

　　In 2015, more than 5,000 new jobs in Wales were created by foreign direct investment, with government agency UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) working closely with the Welsh government to secure projects.

　　A spokesman for the Wales Office said: "On exports, UKTI and the Welsh government have supported around 3,000 Welsh firms already this financial year. The UK government is committed to making exporting easier for businesses."

　　Next month, Britain's travelling road show, the Exporting is GREAT Export Hub, will start a tour of Wales to encourage businesses to embark on exporting.