Caterpillar arm boosts micro-loan program

Heavy machinery giant pledges further $2.5 million for women entrepreneurs

The Caterpillar Foundation, the charitable arm of the United States construction machinery giant Caterpillar Inc, has pledged to continue its 10-year support to a project providing micro-loans to women across China.

Michele Sullivan, the foundation's president, said that since 2006 it has been supporting the non-profit organization Opportunity International worldwide, which helps create jobs and more sustainable incomes for families, with a particular focus on helping small businesses run by women in rural areas.