Desk Report:
The government has approved the export of 1,200 tons of hilsa to neighboring India for the upcoming Durga Puja. 37 companies in the country have received permission to export this hilsa. The companies will be able to send hilsa conditionally until October 5. The minimum price for exporting these fish has been set at $12.50.
This information was given in a notification signed by SHM Magfurul Hasan Abbasi, Deputy Secretary of the Export-2 Branch of the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday (September 16).
The notification said that the Ministry of Commerce has approved the export of 1,200 tons of hilsa to 37 companies for the upcoming Durga Puja. The export deadline has been set from today to October 5.
However, the Ministry of Commerce has given several conditions for fish export. The conditions are that the export must be made in accordance with the regulations of the Export Policy 2024-27. The customs authorities will conduct proper inspection of the exportable products. All information and evidence regarding the actual export quantity from the previously approved quantity must be submitted at the time of the next application.
The Ministry of Commerce has said that fish cannot be exported in excess of the permitted quantity. During the export of each product consignment, the customs authorities will check the Asycuda World System to ensure that no excess quantity of products is exported.
The notification also states that this permission is not transferable in any way, and the approved exporter cannot give subcontracts without exporting it himself. The government reserves the right to cancel this export permission at any time if necessary.
On September 8, the government decided to export hilsa fish to India. On that day, the Ministry of Commerce issued an order in this regard and said that interested exporters can apply in hard copy during office hours on September 11. In that order, the government set the minimum export price of hilsa at 12.5 US dollars per kilogram. At 122 taka per dollar, it stands at 1,525 taka in Bangladeshi taka.
After that, various criticisms started. Because, the price of hilsa fish weighing one kilogram in the domestic market is at least 2,100 taka. Buying slightly larger hilsa fish costs 2,500 to 3,000 taka per kilogram. In the face of criticism, Farida Akhtar, Advisor to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, said that it was not under any pressure; rather, permission has been given to send 1,200 tons of hilsa to India due to religious courtesy and request. This is less than half of last year.
It is known that last year, on the occasion of Durga Puja, the Ministry of Commerce had initially decided to allow the export of 3,000 tons of hilsa to India. It reversed this decision and finally allowed the export of 2,420 tons of hilsa. This time, permission has been given to export half of this hilsa. Last time, a total of 49 companies were given permission.
