FE Report
Local fish exporters again became very active to put pressure on the government to resume hilsha export to India, officials said.
On July 31, 2012, the government imposed a ban on the export of the popular fish to keep its prices at an affordable level in the local market.
Some companies sought permission from the ministry of commerce (MoC) to export 10000 tonnes of hilsha, source concerned said.
"We have sought approval from the commerce minister to export 5000 tonnes of hilsha. But the minister is yet to take decision in this connection, Geo-Biological Agriculture Village Ltd, a private fish exporter said.
The exporters continue to put pressure on the government to lift the ban, an official said.
Earlier, some citizens of the country had voiced concern over a government move to lift the ban on hilsha export. They claimed it would shoot up the price in the local market.
As a result, the government has kept the ban for the sake of common people, he added.
However, it is alleged that the hilsha fish was being smuggled to India. The fish is very popular in West Bengal.
Earlier, the Indian high commission in Dhaka had urged the Bangladesh government to lift the ban imposed on hilsha export to India.
There is a huge demand of hilsha in India. It is possible to earn significant amount of foreign currency through the export, industry insiders said.
Besides, it will help the country reduce trade gap with India, they said.
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