Bangladesh The interim government of Bangladesh on Saturday said it will export 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa fish to India during the upcoming Durga Puja. The government has amended its previous decision. Durga Puja will be celebrated from October 9 to 13. Just a few days ago, the interim government led by Professor Mohammad Yunus had banned Hilsa exports to India to meet domestic demand, ending a long-standing tradition by Bangladesh as a 'goodwill gesture' towards its neighbour.
Tradition that has been going on for years
“Considering the appeal of the exporters, permission has been granted to export 3,000 tonnes of Hilsa fish (to India) on the occasion of the upcoming Durga Puja subject to fulfilling specific conditions,” the commerce ministry said in a statement. The ministry asked the applicants to approach the concerned branch to obtain export permission. The previous Awami League government led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had allowed Hilsa export to India between September and October every year as a goodwill gesture. This tradition had been going on for years.
Last year, 4,000 tonnes of export was allowed
Bangladesh has allowed 79 companies to export a total of 4,000 tonnes to India in 2023, officials said. Bangladesh is the world's largest producer of hilsa, but it bans the export of this fish due to high local demand. However, during the Durga Puja festival, it usually relaxes the ban on the export of this fish, a much-loved dish of Bengalis. The Fish Importers Association of India had earlier this month urged Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Tauhid Hussain to allow export of hilsa fish to India during Durga Puja, when there was uncertainty over fish exports this year due to unrest and government change in the country. In a letter dated September 9, Syed Anwar Maqsood, secretary of the association, said Bangladesh had banned the export of hilsa in 2012, but for the last five years, as a goodwill gesture, it has been allowing its export in limited quantities from the first week of September till the end of Durga Puja.
Image Credit: India-Tv.