Despite sustained high economic growth rates, China remains home to 180 million people living below the poverty line. Income disparities are widening between urban and rural areas and among provinces. Urban incomes have grown three times higher than rural incomes, with the greatest levels of poverty centered in rural areas.

Opportunity China opened its doors in Hefei, Anhui in February 2003. In 2009, it received approval from the Jiangsu provincial government and opened the first wholly owned foreign Micro Credit Company of Jiangsu Province in Suyu, Suqian. Through the recent expansions, Opportunity China has increased its service areas to seven operations, covering Shuyang County, Siyang County and Huai’an City.

Agriculture: More than 20 percent of Opportunity China’s clients work in agriculture. During 2012, Opportunity launched microinsurance and targeted services to reach rural farmers and their families in the Jiangsu Province. It recently celebrated grand openings in Siyang County and Huai’an, where more than 50 percent of rural residents live on less than $1 per day. The organization also operates an intensive English language camp each summer for clients and children.

Focus on Job Creation: Opportunity China offers loan products to clients looking to meet the financing needs of their businesses, allowing businesses to create, grow and sustain employment. Opportunity China invests significant expertise to help clients expand and diversify their businesses, add employees and manage cash flow needs through a diverse mix of products and services.

Client Training: Opportunity China offers a wide array of formal business management courses to clients, including marketing, budgeting, business planning and information technology. Opportunity China also offers character building courses covering topics such as understanding the importance of credit, business ethics, family values, nutrition and marriage enrichment.

Business Development Services: Opportunity China provides business advisory services tailored to specific client needs, including modern manufacturing processes, safety training, equipment and material acquisition, packaging, warehousing, logistics, networking and access to agricultural experts.

Project Elisha: This apprenticeship program focuses on creating jobs for the elderly and people with disabilities in the most impoverished and marginalised communities.

Additional Services Offered

• Small/medium enterprise lending, individual business loans and Solidarity Group loans
• Business Training: English, financial planning, investment, employee management and development
• Internship programme
• Microinsurance
• Village-titled-property mortgage loans