In Washington, Prof Yunus will take part in a Senate hearing on duty-free access of Bangladeshi textile products to the USA. He will make a presentation arguing the Bangladesh's case at the hearing.

Chairman of the US Senate Finance Committee Max Baucus invited him to testify at the hearing.

The microcredit pioneer will also receive the Chancellor-Nichols Award, the highest prize presented by Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Bangladeshi community in Nashville will accord a reception to him.

Prof Yunus will visit the Venezuelan capital of Caracas at the invitation of President Hugo Chavez. He will have a meeting with the Venezuelan president and address an international conference organised by BANESCO, the largest commercial bank in Venezuela.

During his visit to Germany at the personal invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Prof Yunus will address the opening of German Savings Bank Convention in Bochum as the keynote speaker.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of the European Parliament Prof Hans-Gerd Pottering will also speak at the opening function.

Prof Yunus will also attend the World Bank Forum organised by the German government in Berlin to focus on the future of Africa, particularly the role of microfinance in the context of G8 meeting in June.

He is expected to return home on May 24.