Plan to export Tk 45b shrimp
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) set a target to export freshwater shrimp (golda) worth Tk 45.00 billion to different destinations including EU this year, reports BSS.
Clouds over Bangladesh's freshwater shrimp industry is paring down as the European Union (EU) renewed its confidence once again in the Bangladeshi shrimp, second biggest foreign currency earner.
A high-powered EU delegation is due on January 18 to examine latest improvement in compliance issue as the six-month self- imposed ban on shrimp (galda) import to the EU comes to an end Monday.
On June 1, entrepreneurs voluntarily suspended the export of salt-water shrimp to the EU for six months following detection of health hazardous antibiotic- nitrofuran in shrimp, resulting in cancellation of more than 50 consignments.
'We have set a target of Tk 45.00 billion freshwater shrimp export to different destinations including EU if no problem does arise and there is no more objections from the EU' said, BFFEA President Musa Mia.
The association had already forwarded a proposal to the government suggesting the setting up of at least two modern testing labs in Khulna and Chittagong on an urgent basis, he said adding that the BFFEA did not want to see suspension of export again.
About use of chemicals in shrimp production, he said the government should make a shrimp policy forthwith to propel the growth of the industry. He urged the government to give necessary directives to the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Khulna and Chittagong so that they could initiate a campaign to withdraw the antibiotic drug items from local markets.
The BFFEA president said the sector had witnessed some sort of uncertainty after two consecutive disasters and global recession that brought down prices, forcing some factories to shut down and ultimately dented the buyers demand for salt-water shrimp.
"We have got nothing from the government in the backdrop of the crisis and not even a single penney from the Tk 50.00 billion stimulus package," Musa pointed out.
Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) Chairman Syed Mahmudul Haq said that the foundation has embarked on a plan to formulate 'national plan' in collaboration with industries association and the department of Fisheries (DoF) for promotion of the sector, said Haq.
Fisheries and Livestock Ministry sources said Bangladesh exported freshwater shrimp (galda) worth Tk 1.14 billion to different destinations excepting the EU during June to November last year while it was Tk 2.46 billion during corresponding the period in 2008.
Besides, export of shrimp (bagda) worth Tk 13.48 billion during June- November in 2009, Tk 1.73 billion more than that of the same period of previous year.
The country exported around 50,368 tonnes of shrimp and earned Tk 27.74 billion last year and this year the ministry is expected to export 55,000 tonnes of shrimp.
Clouds over Bangladesh's freshwater shrimp industry is paring down as the European Union (EU) renewed its confidence once again in the Bangladeshi shrimp, second biggest foreign currency earner.
A high-powered EU delegation is due on January 18 to examine latest improvement in compliance issue as the six-month self- imposed ban on shrimp (galda) import to the EU comes to an end Monday.
On June 1, entrepreneurs voluntarily suspended the export of salt-water shrimp to the EU for six months following detection of health hazardous antibiotic- nitrofuran in shrimp, resulting in cancellation of more than 50 consignments.
'We have set a target of Tk 45.00 billion freshwater shrimp export to different destinations including EU if no problem does arise and there is no more objections from the EU' said, BFFEA President Musa Mia.
The association had already forwarded a proposal to the government suggesting the setting up of at least two modern testing labs in Khulna and Chittagong on an urgent basis, he said adding that the BFFEA did not want to see suspension of export again.
About use of chemicals in shrimp production, he said the government should make a shrimp policy forthwith to propel the growth of the industry. He urged the government to give necessary directives to the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Khulna and Chittagong so that they could initiate a campaign to withdraw the antibiotic drug items from local markets.
The BFFEA president said the sector had witnessed some sort of uncertainty after two consecutive disasters and global recession that brought down prices, forcing some factories to shut down and ultimately dented the buyers demand for salt-water shrimp.
"We have got nothing from the government in the backdrop of the crisis and not even a single penney from the Tk 50.00 billion stimulus package," Musa pointed out.
Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation (BSFF) Chairman Syed Mahmudul Haq said that the foundation has embarked on a plan to formulate 'national plan' in collaboration with industries association and the department of Fisheries (DoF) for promotion of the sector, said Haq.
Fisheries and Livestock Ministry sources said Bangladesh exported freshwater shrimp (galda) worth Tk 1.14 billion to different destinations excepting the EU during June to November last year while it was Tk 2.46 billion during corresponding the period in 2008.
Besides, export of shrimp (bagda) worth Tk 13.48 billion during June- November in 2009, Tk 1.73 billion more than that of the same period of previous year.
The country exported around 50,368 tonnes of shrimp and earned Tk 27.74 billion last year and this year the ministry is expected to export 55,000 tonnes of shrimp.