In a recent report, the International Labour Association projected that tens of millions more people could become unemployed, and that women would be hit harder, and more severely than men.

Given that women tend to work in labor intensive export industries, that feed the global supply chain, they're among the first to lose their jobs when demand for exports in manufacturing and clothing dries up.
However, a women's group in Hefei, in Eastern China's Anhui province, has stepped up to ensure that local business women are able to weather the financial storm. Last week, three of these local entrepreneurs were offered interest free loans of around 3,000 USD, in order to help their businesses survive.

The loans, which were provided by Chinese women's organizations and the Chinese women's federation, are aimed at helping women start their own businesses and fulfill their entrepreneurial dreams.

Lijia Zhang invites a business consultant to talk about doing business in China, including business etiquette, decision-making strategies, and common euphemisms in business conversation in China.

Lijia Zhang invites a business consultant to talk about doing business in China, including business etiquette, decision-making strategies, and common euphemisms in business conversation in China.

Caitlin invites two entrepreneurs to share their business startup experiences in China, understanding of Chinese business culture, and the key to success.

Caitlin invites two entrepreneurs to share their business startup experiences in China, understanding of Chinese business culture, and the key to success.

The economic data released by China last week seem to confirm the country's emergence from the global financial crisis relatively unscathed: 8.7% growth in 2009; adequate employment; a healthy trade balance.

It all seems to underline China's safe passage through the turmoil of last year that severely damaged so many other economies.But one top analyst is warning that China may not find things so easy in 2010.

Stephen Roach is chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. He says after that after years of growth, the Chinese export sector could soon face a backlash from western countries.