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Stephen Crabb and Lord Maude set exports challenge for businesses in Wales.

Welsh businesses should showcase their innovation and excellence to the world by making 2016 the year of exports, the Government said yesterday.

Welsh Secretary Stephen Crabb and Trade and Investment Minister Lord Maude has set out a challenge to both businesses and the Welsh Government as part of a two-day tour of Wales.

Both Ministers yesterday visited successful Welsh exporters including Airbus, Magellan Aerospace and financial services company DTCC, which has been expanding its workforce on the back of strong sales.

Stephen Crabb, Secretary of State for Wales, said yesterday:

Wales is home to innovative and world-beating companies that have achieved great export success, but we can and should do more. I want to showcase our country to the world. Lord Maude and I are here to show how the UK Government can help.

Together, we want to get 100,000 new companies across the UK exporting by 2020 – and I want to see Wales playing its part in achieving this goal.

Last year 4000 Welsh companies took their first steps into export. and this year we are already up to 3000. I urge those companies considering exporting to go on the Exporting is GREAT website or come to the first ever Exporting is GREAT road show in Wales, which kicks off next month.

Lord Maude said yesterday:

It has been inspiring seeing the enthusiasm for exporting here in Wales, and hearing the success that can be achieved when companies start to expand overseas. With exports approaching £3 billion each year in Wales alone, there is clearly demand out there for UK products and services. I am determined that UKTI will continue to provide support for this to continue, bringing growth and new jobs to sectors across the country.

On Friday, Lord Maude met Edwina Hart, Welsh Government Trade & Investment Minister, at medical supplies firm ConvaTec, and visited the Toyota engine plant in Deeside.

Toyota is one of many international firms that have invested in Wales. Last year, more than 5,000 new jobs in Wales were created by foreign direct investment, with UKTI working closely with the Welsh Government to land projects.

On exports, UKTI and the Welsh Government have supported around 3,000 Welsh firms already this financial year. The annual value of Welsh exports currently stands at around £2.9 billion.

The UK Government is committed to making exporting easier for businesses.

Next month will see the start of a Wales road-trip for the Exporting is GREAT Export Hub – a flexible, mobile events space, where businesses can seek advice from firms that have already won sales overseas and from UK Trade & Investment’s own experts. And in June, Welsh businesses are invited to attend the world’s largest business festival, the International Festival of Business (IFB), taking place in Liverpool over three weeks, where they can pre-arrange meetings with potential business partners.

Notes to editors

• The Exporting is GREAT road show will be in Wales from 15 to 26 February 2016. Businesses can register for live export opportunities and download a guide to starting exporting at www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk .
• The International Festival of Business, the world’s largest business festival, takes place in Liverpool from 13 June to 1 July. It provides a range of opportunities from workshops and seminars to meetings with potential overseas buyers. Welsh businesses in the creative, manufacturing, energy and environment sectors are being urged to sign up for the event