Govt allows export of 2,520 more tonnes of hilsa to India

The government has allowed export of additional 2,520 tonnes of hilsa fish to India.

According to a commerce ministry decision, 63 enterprises will export Bangladesh’s national fish, which is a quintessential favourite to the Bengali, on the eve of Durga Puja, the largest festival for the Hindu community.

Citing the government decision, a memo of the commerce ministry was sent to the office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports stating each of the 63 new companies could export 40 tonnes of the savouring fish.

The total price of the fish would come around Tk 226.70 crore, considering one kilogram of hilsa would be sold at Tk 900, officials said.

However, the ministry has attached some strings this time. The respective exporters must comply with the export policy of 2018-21 and that a sample from each consignment must be physically examined by the customs authorities. After shipping of a consignment, relevant documents must be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce.

On top of all these, no hilsa should go to India beyond the permitted limit. The permit will stay valid until October 3. A permit cannot be transferred to anyone in any case and nor it could be given under sub-contract to any third party.

Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries has imposed a ban on catching hilsa for 22 days beginning October 4 to allow the mother fishes to lay eggs.

A similar moratorium on catching hilsa was in place from October 14 to November 4, last year.

Local fish trader Anower Hossain who is also the proprietor of M/S Anower Brothers’ told the Business Insider Bangladesh on Thursday that “We have got only five days to export 40 tonnes of hilsa fish to India.”

It is difficult to procure 40 tonnes of hilsa fish within this time, he said, adding that they may ask the government to enforce the moratorium after a few more days.

Earlier on September 20, Bangladesh approved export of 2,080 tonnes of hilsa to India.