Yunus emphasises need for power of microcredit, social business

Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus has emphasised the need for the power of microcredit and social business in tackling social problems in the context of the existing capitalist system that excludes the poorest, said a Yunus Centre release here on Monday, reports UNB.
Addressing the plenary of the 7th Astana Economic forum and 2nd World Anti-Crisis Conference on Friday in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, Prof Yunus  stressed for integrating women in entrepreneurial activitism as this has a positive effect on the whole economy of a country.
He also discussed the power of technology in healthcare and medicine, including the potential revolutionary role that cellphones are already playing in this regard.
The Astana Economic Forum brings together world leaders, academic experts and high-level business representatives to find solutions to the greatest economic and social challenges of this time.
This plenary session was also addressed by President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, UN Economic and Social Council Chair Martin Sajdik. The session was moderated by former Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov.
At the same session, Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev called for countries to unite to work to overcome the growing gap between the rich and the poor, stating that this problem is not just limited to developing countries but also the developed nations like Germany and the UK.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon spoke with those attending the forum through a video conference, endorsing the idea of a crusade against poverty.
Later in the day, the Kazakhstan President had lunch with Yunus, former President of European Union Romano Prodi and president of the Islamic Development Bank.
The Grameen Bank founder also had a one-on-one dinner with Kazakhstan Prime Minister Karim Masimov in his office at parliament and discussed social business.
The prime minister will send two of his staff to the Annual Social Business Day 2014 on June 28, Dhaka to understand social business better.
During his stay in Kazakhstan, Prof Yunus visited Eurasia University and spoke to the students. The vice chancellor of the university in a formal ceremony made Dr Yunus an 'Honourary Professor' of the university.
The seventh edition of the Astana Economic Forum brought together for three days upwards of 10,000 participants from more than 150 countries.