Deputy Governor of Ningxia Autonomous Region visits Jafza

A seven-member high-power delegation led by Mr Wang Heshan, Deputy Governor of Ningxia Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China visited Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) recently to discuss ways to strengthen collaboration between the two sides and also discuss possibility to develop a trade bridge between Jafza and Yinchuan Free Zone with Ningxia province as a hub for bilateral trade between North West China and the Middle East region. 

The delegation was received by HE Salma Ali Saif Bin Hareb, CEO of Economic Zones World (EZW), the parent company of Jafza, at the Free Zone. Extending her warm welcome to the delegation she also reverberated about the desire of Jafza to strengthen bilateral trade relations with the North West Region of China, which remains largely an untapped market for both imports and exports, so far. 

She said: “China is one of our most important trade partners. We are happy to see Ningxia Autonomous Region’s keen interest in developing closer business ties with Jafza, which is the business and logistics hub for the entire Middle East region comprising West Asia, the CIS and Africa. Jafza can be a springboard for businesses from the North West China to establish their footprint in the world’s one of the fastest growing regions. We will be more than happy to be a trade bridge between the North West China and the Middle East.” 

North West China includes the autonomous regions of Ningxia and Xinjiang and the provinces of Shaanxi, Gansu and Qinghai. Ningxia is one of China’s the most promising autonomous regions. With proven deposits of 50 different minerals including coal, gypsum, oil, natural gas, pottery clay, quartz sandstone, and barite, Ningxia ranks among the most resource rich provinces in China. 

Ningxia also has vast fertile land reserves. With extensive irrigation facilities and abundant sunshine at its disposal, Ningxia, in the recent years, has emerged as leading producer of fruit and grain, as well as, a centre for animal husbandry. The region produces grapes, wolfberries, potato, rice, corn, wheat, sheep and cattle. It produces half of the world's cashmere. 

Ningxia Autonomous Region plans to develop into a leading manufacturer of halal food, other halal products and textile and also an e-Commerce hub for the North West China. 

The delegation sought to explore comprehensive collaboration to establish a seamless supply chain to facilitate free flowing trade between the two regions through Jafza in the Middle East and Ningxia in the North West China. 

The delegation also sought Jafza support in developing Yingchun Free Trade Zone as a Jafza counterpart in the region in terms of business ecosystem and efficiencies.