(2) Economic development shows considerable increases in gross national product and income, growing proportions of secondary and tertiary activity, extensive deve- lopment of transport and communications infrastructure – mainly in (mega-)urban areas. With growing global interdependence the functioning of the world economy is reinforcing vulnerability, particularly within the globally connected (mega-)urban areas, as was seen during the so-called Asian crisis. One factor that was particularly evident as a result of export industry development was the increasing participation by women in the manufacturing sector.