Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus, founder of microfinancer Grameen Bank, will be awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal, according to a spokesman of the Yunus Centre in Dhaka.
The award ceremony will take place in US capital Washington on April 17.
Since the American Revolution in 1776, the United States “Congress has commissioned gold medals as its highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions” to humanity.
These medals are given to honour individuals, institution or an event who are widely acclaimed by Americans for their sacrifice and contributions.
The award demonstrates the high esteem Yunus enjoys among members of the United States Congress and Senate, and among the American citizens, the spokesman said.
Yunus is being honoured for his lifetime achievements in the cause of alleviating poverty in Bangladesh.
“Through his creative ideas, hard work and brilliant implementation of the idea of micro-credit throughout Bangladesh and several other countries, Yunus has made contributions in the cause of helping millions of poor, especially women, take charge of their lives to overcome poverty.
“Thanks to the unique organisation he conceived and built over 30 years, more than $10bn has been loaned to millions of small businesses owned by poor women in Bangladesh to generate incomes, savings and jobs,” he added.