Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Decision that Professor Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank will be Awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize

October 13, 2006

1. The Government of Japan congratulates Professor Muhammad Yunus, Managing-Director of Grameen Bank, and the Bank for being awarded the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.
2. Professor Yunus started a micro - credit project for poor people and made an epoch-making contribution to give them a basis for self - reliance via Grameen Bank which he established. We highly praise that he has presented a new model for poverty eradication to the world and made a great contribution to poverty eradication at the international level.
3. Again, The Government wishes to extend its heartfelt words of congratulations and delight, as it believes the 2006 Nobel Prize awarded to Professor Yunus and Grameen Bank will give further confidence and pride to all the people in Bangladesh.

Related Information (Japan-Bangladesh Relations)