The figure was released by the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) at a conference held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 25.

According to the VWU, by June this year, the union had disbursed more than US$16 trillion, making up over 40 percent of the bank’s committed total, up VND13 trillion compared to 2004’s figure.

Thanh Hoa province had the highest lending (VND865 billion) and was followed by Nghe An province (VND632 billion). Meanwhile, lending of Dien Bien province got more than VND94 billion, the lowest among localities.

The rate of overdue debt fell to 0.96 percent from 2.6 percent in 2004.

Along with providing loans, the VWU also held many activities to help women in vocational training and job generation. As a result, almost 500,000 households of poor women escaped poverty.