The 2nd China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum kicked off on Sep 21 in Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. As the permanent site for the forum, Ningxia will further promote the business cooperation between China and Arabian countries.

Many large-scale enterprises from China's 31 provincial regions sent representatives to the forum, including?PetroChina, Sinopec and Shenhua Group Corporation Limited. According to the Investment Bureau of Ningxia Hui?Autonomous Region, foreign enterprises from 40 foreign countries and regions will also participate in the forum.

Ningxia has had preliminary cooperation with countries such as Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The forum will strengthen cooperation and interactions between China and Arab countries. and it is expected to accomplish its goal of signing 200 billion yuan (US$31 billion) items.

The forum boasts 400 volunteers, 90 percent of whom speak fluent Arabic and English. The volunteers are responsible for receiving and introducing the guests, as well as performing interpreting duties for them.

The China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum talents exchange platform, which was founded by the Ningxia government, has made Ningxia a vital center of Arabic-language expertise.

Ningxia is reportedly the main provider of Arabic translators and interpreters to other regions of China which have economic and business links with Arabian countries. Arabic translators and interpreters are especially popular in southeast coastal China. There are over 5,000 Arabic translators and interpreters in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province alone.

China is home to more than ten ethnic groups which hold Islamic beliefs, including the Hui and Uyghur minorities. In addition, about 20 million people in China eat Muslim food. As the only provincial-level Hui Autonomous Region, Ningxia has a population of over 2.2 million and boasts the natural and cultural resources to develop and promote Muslim food.

Further to this, Ningxia has become the national center for Muslim food certification in China. So far, 18 Muslim food companies looking to export their products have passed certification.