"I extend my congratulations to Mohammad Yunus and Grameen Bank of Bangladesh who have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2006", says Norway's Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. "For 30 years they have granted loans to the poor, and in particular to women, making it possible for them to start new enterprises and work their way out of poverty", the Prime Minister says.

"A total of 5.6 million individuals have until now received loans from this year's Nobel laureates. 97 per cent of the loans have been granted to women. Mohammad Yunus and Grameen Bank have therefore by their microcredits not the least strengthened the economic independence and social position of women in many countries. The Nobel Committee have chosen two dignified laureates", Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg says.

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