A face-to-face government-bank-enterprise joint meeting opens on June 5 in Central China's Hubei Province. [Huebi Women's Federation]

More than 10 representatives of women entrepreneurs talked about their difficulties and their needs in resuming work and production at a meeting initiated by the Women's Federation of Hubei Province and the province's novel coronavirus (COVID-19) control headquarters on June 5.

The meeting was attended by officials from government departments and financial institutions and women entrepreneurs, aiming to listen to the women entrepreneurs' difficulties and discuss feasible measures in a direct and efficient way.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges in business, these women entrepreneurs look forward to more preferential policies to mitigate the impact of the epidemic.

"Most of our employees had to spend a lot of time handling the social security subsidies, so I wish relevant departments would simplify the procedures," said Xu Hong, Chairperson of the Wuhan Saint Mary Investment Co, a maternal and child care firm, where 85 percent of the 536 employees are women. 

During the epidemic, the women on maternity leave in her company had to stay at home. After they resumed work, employees' wages, rents and the large amount of refunds have put tremendous pressure on the company's capital turnover. 

In Hubei, most of the 300 members of the province's women entrepreneur association are engaged in catering and accommodation, commerce and retail, cultural and educational services, which were greatly affected by the epidemic. It was almost their common wish to get support in financing loans, rent reductions and tax cuts.

"We will give full support to help the enterprises get through the hard times," said Xie Gaobo, Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Development and Reform Commission. He encouraged the attendees to be confident, as the current economic and social life in the province has returned to normal, and the resumption of work and production has caught up with the progress of the whole country.

"The majority of women entrepreneurs operate small, medium and micro enterprises or self-employed shops. They have made contributions to promoting women's employment and the province's economic and social development," said Li Shuyong, President of the province's women's federation. 

Li therefore urged specific and targeted solutions as well as strong supervision and implementation to benefit more companies. 

"The province's women entrepreneur association should play an effective role in coordinating resources, encouraging and uniting women entrepreneurs to be confident and self-motivated. Women's federations at various levels in Hubei should make more efforts in guiding, contacting and serving local women's enterprises," Li added. 

At the meeting, the sponsors and the Wuhan Branch of Huaxia Bank signed an agreement to offer a targeted financial support for women entrepreneurs. Another branch of the bank also signed three million yuan (US $423,125.2) credit loan contracts with three local women-owned companies. 

The participating entrepreneurs expressed their excitement after the joint meeting. "It's really a timely helping hand," said Xu Hong. 

(Source: China Women's News/Translated by Women of China)