The Fish Importers' Association of Kolkata has appealed for the withdrawal of Bangladesh's long-standing ban on hilsa exports to India. The appeal was made in a letter to Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Bangladesh's newly appointed commerce minister.

In the letter, the Indian traders say they had imported hilsa from Bangladesh since 1996 through the Benapole land port in West Bengal and the Akhaura land port in Tripura. That business ended when the Bangladesh government banned hilsa exports in July 2012.

They say they have appealed to the Bangladesh government several times since 2012 without any permanent decision. Since September 2019 hilsa exports to India have been allowed for a limited period under special permission for Durga Puja, which the letter says is not sufficient.

Pointing to the close ties of language, culture and food between the people of the two Bengals, the letter says people in West Bengal, Assam and Tripura feel a special attachment to the Padma hilsa of Bangladesh. Lifting the ban, the traders told the commerce minister, would benefit people in India — particularly West Bengal — and strengthen the relationship between the two peoples.

Abu Maksud, general secretary of the association, told banglanews24 that Bangladesh's hilsa is a great favourite in Kolkata but its export is banned, which is why they have asked for the long-standing ban to be lifted; they hope the Bangladesh government will consider it.

The request comes while hilsa prices at home are high and output is a worry; whichever way the decision goes, it will land directly on fishermen, wholesalers and the price Bangladeshi consumers pay.

Source: banglanews24