Ningxia possesses distinctive ethnic background and resource advantages to develop Muslim industries, Ma Guoquan said, calling for national support during the second session of the 12th National People’s Congress on March 9.

As a competitive industry in Ningxia, Muslim products play an important role in developing the Ningxia Inland Opening-up Economic Pilot Zone and the construction of the Silk Road Economic Belt, according to the proposal.

The regional government plans to build a Halal food and Muslim products center by 2017, featuring production and processing, authentication, research and design, exhibition and transaction, collection and distribution.

Ma Guoquan suggested that a national standard on the Muslim products industry should be issued soon and more policy and financial support is needed to enhance the industry in Ningxia.

In addition, scientific research on the Muslim industry should also be strengthened and more channels should be explored to promote related products export, Ma added.