Finance Minister Abul Maa) Abdul Muhith yesterday told the Jatiya Sangsad that it would not be possible to receive aid from Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) of the US this year.

Replying to a question from a lawmaker, the minister said the eligibility of countries for the aid is determined on the basis of 17 indicators under three categories --ruling justly, investing in people and economic freedom.

"Despite improvement of situation in Bangladesh in line with the indicators, it will not be possible to receive aid from MCA for 2009 because the eligibility was determined on the basis of information of previous year," Muhith said.

However, negotiations would have to be held to get aid for the 2009-10 fiscal year, he added.

"It will not be easy to show improvement of some indices. So, we will have to emphasise the need to relax the conditions," the minister

said.

Replying to another query, he informed the House of different measures taken to stop money laundering.