China and Canada have jointly launched a free training program for female laid-offs in northwest China's Gansu Province.

 

Named with "Start Your Business," the program is sponsored by Canadian government and 60 selected female laid-offs will receive training in a 10-day program this year.

 

After the training program, the women will be provided with one-year afterwards training and small-scaled loans as initial capital of their businesses.

 

The training program includes a series of courses featuring studies on market, trade and business.

 

The program is part of a three-year China-Canada women reemployment project, which started last year and involves a total donation of 20 million yuan (about US$2.35 million) from Canadian government.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2006)