US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer yesterday expressed her concern about the future of Grameen Bank, and said amending the bank's ordinance would hamper its uniqueness.

Grameen Bank has not only made an incredible difference in Bangladesh but it has also been copied all over the world as a means to help people move out of poverty, she said. The US plenipotentiary spoke at a press conference in the port city where US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena was also present.

Verveer called upon the government of Bangladesh to ensure the continued integrity, independence and effectiveness of Grameen Bank so that its unique structure could continue to help many people, and its borrower members and members of the board can continue to control the bank's work.

Grameen Bank has done so much to lift the condition of the country's women that it now has over eight million female members who have been able to improve their lives and their families, she said.

She said when she first came to Bangladesh in 1995 with the then first lady of the US, Hillary R Clinton.

They went to a Grameen Bank village and saw what difference it was making with the women, Verveer said.

She said she saw the same scenario when she went to another Grameen village with Mozena.

"We have a deep relationship with this country. We want that to continue. There is a disagreement over Grameen Bank and we don't want that to undermine our relationship with this country, its people and its government.”

She said she is hopeful that the government would come to a solution regarding Grameen Bank that would