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Cities in China's eastern coast have been the centers of commerce and economy in the past few decades, but now the Ningxia Hui autonomous region is emerging as a new driving force for development in the west through the revival of the ancient Silk Road trade route, local entrepreneurs say.

The landlocked autonomous region borders Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, placing it far from the coast, but at the same time, its location enables the region to act as a bridge between Central Asia and the Chinese hinterlands.

"Ningxia was a vital overland route linking ancient China to the whole Islamic world during the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), and today, it is still an important part of the nation's 'going west strategy'," said Ma Xuezhong, chairman of the Dubai-based A&A Investments Holdings Group, which specializes in assets control and financial services.

Last year, trade volume between China and Arab countries totaled $200 billion, eight times higher than a decade ago, and it mainly involved such sectors as energy, project contracting and personnel training.

"They rely heavily on China's machinery, telecom equipment, iron and steel, clothing, furniture and service industry, and that's what Ningxia could offer," he said.

Home to more than 2 million Muslims, who account for 35 percent of the region's total population, Ningxia has much in common with Arab countries in culture, food and religion.

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