Nearly 50 percent of Ningxia's exports in the first quarter of 2011 were composed of the region's traditionally featured products, including biomedical technology, cashmere, and agricultural products and equipment, according to the latest data released by the region's Department of Commerce. Exports saw a 55 percent increase to $340 million USD in Q1, according to the data.

As the only provincial autonomous region for the Hui people in China, the region has been striving to increase its presence in the Arab market. Ningxia has been able to develop a close relationship with the Arab world due to its majority Muslim population.