"Yes, I do favour micro-credit financing by NGOs, but as a politician, I can't support charging high interest rates like 'Kabliwalas' against credits from poor people," he said at a seminar on 'Practices of ICT and Good Governance in Micro-credit Sector' at IDB Bhaban in Dhaka.

Dr Khan said the NGOs can charge 15 per cent interest from the poor, but in fact the situation is other way round and the credit providers have been realising exorbitant interest in different ways which the general people are unable to understand. "If you really want to serve poor, why don't you provide loan at a nominal interest rate?" he questioned.

He also said the micro-credit providers must have transparency in credit system and must be accountable to the people. People have the right to know about their activities, he said, adding that charging high interest rates should be stopped.

Referring to the 'equity fund' being kept for promotion of ICT sector, the minister said only Taka 10 crore out of Taka 300 crore were disbursed in last fiscal. "We don't want to see the repetition of this trend as the government is eagerly waiting to provide all support to promote information and communication technology."

In this regard he called upon the users to buy local software particularly in the banking sector to help encourage local youths as well as to save hard earned foreign currencies. "Our softwares are of world standard, more secured and very cheap. So why should we go abroad for those," he said.

Science and ICT Secretary Karar Mahmodul Hassan and CDF Chairperson Yiasmin Ahmed also spoke on the occasion, which was organised by Credit and Development Forum (CDF).