Govt may allow fish import thru' some landports
Monday, 9 July 2007
Doulot Akter Mala
The government is contemplating opening some selective land ports to ensure smooth supply of fishes and rein in their prices ahead of Ramadan.
The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), with the consent of Ministry of Commerce, sent a letter to the National Board Revenue (NBR) to allow import of fish through some land ports.
The BDR sought the government's permission to allow import of fishes from India through Benapole, Sonamasjid, Hili landport.
Presently, the importers could import fish only through Teknaf land station out of around 37 active land stations.
However, the government has no bar to import fishes through seaports or airports.
According to a report of the Department of Fisheries (DoF), the country has scarcity of fish to the tune of 170,000 tonnes.
The country could not meet local demands of the fish and could import only 900-1000 tonnes.
In 2002, the NBR imposed a ban on import of fish through all land ports, except Teknaf, following allegations of duty evasion.
The prices of fishes go beyond the reach of general people due to supply shortage after imposing such ban, sources said.
They said it is convenient to import fish through land ports compared to that of the seaports or airports.
"The government is actively considering the issue of ensuring sufficient supply of fish in the country, but the DoF has to ensure the availability of formalin-testing equipment in the land ports," an official source said.
The government is contemplating opening some selective land ports to ensure smooth supply of fishes and rein in their prices ahead of Ramadan.
The Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), with the consent of Ministry of Commerce, sent a letter to the National Board Revenue (NBR) to allow import of fish through some land ports.
The BDR sought the government's permission to allow import of fishes from India through Benapole, Sonamasjid, Hili landport.
Presently, the importers could import fish only through Teknaf land station out of around 37 active land stations.
However, the government has no bar to import fishes through seaports or airports.
According to a report of the Department of Fisheries (DoF), the country has scarcity of fish to the tune of 170,000 tonnes.
The country could not meet local demands of the fish and could import only 900-1000 tonnes.
In 2002, the NBR imposed a ban on import of fish through all land ports, except Teknaf, following allegations of duty evasion.
The prices of fishes go beyond the reach of general people due to supply shortage after imposing such ban, sources said.
They said it is convenient to import fish through land ports compared to that of the seaports or airports.
"The government is actively considering the issue of ensuring sufficient supply of fish in the country, but the DoF has to ensure the availability of formalin-testing equipment in the land ports," an official source said.