Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday played down the US concerns about Grameen Bank, saying the government is doing nothing against the Noble winning microcredit organisation.

“Our intention is to ensure that Grameen Bank does well and runs more efficiently,” he told reporters at his office in the secretariat.

His comments came after a meeting with US Ambassador Dan W Mozena on issues ranging from the current political crisis and the garment sector to Grameen Bank.

Muhith alleged that Dr Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank, is trying to destroy the microlender in the name of supporting it.

The minister also blamed the microcredit pioneer for stalling the process of appointing a full-time managing director for Grameen Bank, which has been led by acting CEOs since Prof Yunus was removed from the organisation in May 2011.

He said the government has barely spoken about Prof Yunus in recent times. “He is a respectable person. We don’t want to bother him. We also don’t want to be bothered by him. But he is bothering us.”
“He is not allowing Grameen Bank to function properly,” the minister said.

Muhith also alleged that Prof Yunus has been spreading lies on the amendment to the Grameen Bank Act.