The preparation work for the 2013 China-Arab States Expo is currently under way, according to an official from the Ningxia Fair Bureau.

The China-Arab States Economic and Trade Forum has been held successfully three times so far and the newly upgraded China-Arab States Forum aims to construct a multi-level communication and cooperation mechanism, said Zhang Liwei, deputy director of Ningxia Fair Bureau.

Platforms covering the trade of goods and services, financial investment, technical cooperation and cultural tourism will be enhanced comprehensively to facilitate the cooperation among governments, enterprises and the people in China and Arab States, according to Zhang.

One Arabian country will be chosen to act as honorary guest country and a series of economic and cultural exchange activities will be held during this year, Zhang said. Besides 22 Arab States, the organizing committee will try to cover 57 Islamic countries for cooperation and potential market expansion, Zhang added.

The series of exhibitions, forums and activities featuring energy-related, financial, Muslim and agricultural products, as well as ones regarding the tourism industry, will be held -- with an emphasis on the expo, Zhang said.