NOBEL laureate Prof Mohammed Yunus, who is visiting Bahrain, attended a reception in his honour at the residence of Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Ali Akbar in Saar last night.

The event was attended by senior Bangladeshi community leaders, prominent Bahrainis and diplomats.

Prof Yunus, a banker and economist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2006 for his work amongst the poorer sections of society in Bangladesh.

He also attended a reception for the Bangladeshi community at the Palace Hotel in Adliya, attended by hundreds of community members.

Prof Yunus, who arrived yesterday, will today attend the opening of the Family Bank at the Gulf Convention Centre of the Gulf Hotel.

The event will be held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad.

The inauguration will announce the official launch of the bank's operations, an initiative of the Social Development Ministry to help needy families by providing them low interest loans.

The project also aims to widen the middle class in Bahrain in line with the King's directives to develop productivity and self-reliance.