Russia to import more shrimps from BD

Bangladesh will send a list of local shrimp processing units to Russia soon, as the latter Tuesday expressed interest to import more shrimps from Bangladesh.
Besides, high-level delegations from both the countries will visit each other to enhance communication and expand business between them.
These decisions were taken at a meeting between Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander A Nikolaev and Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque at his secretariat office, said a press release.
Mr Hoque said Bangladesh has potentials in production and export of both fresh and salt water shrimps. The government is now working to prepare the list of units to send to Russia.
He said the country has got the opportunity of catching fish after winning the maritime boundary dispute with Myanmar. Bangladesh's availing this opportunity can be beneficial for Russia also.
The Russian Ambassador said his country is very conscious regarding the quality of food products for the sake of public health. Bangladesh has taken steps to maintain the standards in exporting shrimps in line with the Russian requirement. If Bangladesh continues maintaining the standards, its import volume will increase.
He asked for a specific list of fish items that can be imported from Bangladesh to Russia.
Russia imposed a temporary restriction on shrimp import from Bangladesh in last November, due to failure in complying with the required microbiological standards.
But the country withdrew the restriction in February, following various initiatives of the fisheries and livestock ministry.  
Fisheries and livestock joint secretary (fisheries) Md Anisur Rahman, Department of Fisheries director general Syed Arif Azad and Russian first secretary to Bangladesh Phillip Kosov were present, among others, in the meeting.