The Russian envoy to Bangladesh Tuesday expressed willingness to resolve the recent disagreement regarding quality control of shrimp, exported to Russia, through discussion.
Ambassador Alexander A Nikolaev requested the Fisheries and Livestock Minister Muhammed Sayedul Hoque to send a formal proposal in this regard soon, and increase shrimp export to Russia.
He said these at a meeting with the minister at the latter's secretariat office in the city.
Department of Fisheries director general Syed Arif Azad, and Bangladeshi Ambassador to Russia Saiful Hoque were also present, among others, during the meeting.
The ambassador urged the minister to send recommendations for local shrimp exporters. Subsequently, the Russian officials concerned will visit the Bangladeshi processing plants and give approval, if they maintain the required standard.
The minister informed him that a letter in this regard will be sent to Russia by this week, and a delegation will visit the country to discuss the issue with the authorities concerned.
The fisheries and livestock minister told the reporters after the meeting that Bangladesh is exporting shrimp to different countries, most of which follow the ICMSF (International Commission for Microbiological Standards for Food) standards relating to bacterial load. But Russia does not follow it while importing food.
"As per the ICMSF standards, 1.0 million CFUs (colony forming units) are allowed in 20 gram of fish for human consumption. But Russia allows 0.1 million CFUs in 20 gram according to its own (cold-water region) standard."
The minister further said only four local companies got the approval for exporting shrimp to Russia in 2009. Of these, Bagerhat Sea Food Ltd faced a temporary restriction in early 2010, while the rest three faced it from August to November 2013.
However, the Russian ministry concerned has withdrawn the temporary restriction imposed on Bagerhat Sea Food Ltd, but the restriction on the three others is still active.
The fisheries and livestock minister said: "Russia imports a significant quantity of fish and seafood items. So there are ample opportunities to increase export of these products to the country."
He requested the Russian envoy to take necessary measures, so that more Bangladeshi companies, which are already exporting fish products to the EU and the US, can get approval for the Russian market also.
