Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was approved as the first inland opening-up pilot economic zone in September. A comprehensive tax-free zone was set up in Yinchuan, capital of the region.

With rich coal reserves and abundant mineral resources, the regional government plans to build Ningxia into a national energy and chemical base, a specialized agricultural production and processing base and a Eurasian logistics transit base.

Halal food and other Muslim products will also be promoted as the region is home to one fifth of the Hui ethnic people in the country.

Moreover, the annual China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum will boost trade and investment with the Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab states and Muslim countries.