Dhaka, Sep 11 (V7N)– The Fish Importers Association of India has appealed to the Bangladesh government to allow the export of hilsa fish to India during the upcoming Durga Puja festival. In a recent letter addressed to Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, the association urged for a relaxation of the existing export ban.

In the letter, the Indian importers noted that they had been importing hilsa from Bangladesh since 1996, with an annual import volume of around 5,000 metric tons through the Petrapole land customs station in West Bengal. However, in July 2012, Bangladesh imposed a sudden ban on hilsa exports, which remains in place despite repeated requests from Indian importers to lift the restriction.

The association acknowledged that the Bangladesh government had allowed limited hilsa exports to India during Durga Puja from 2019 to 2023. They have now sought further permission to continue exports this year, citing high demand for Bangladeshi hilsa in the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura during the festival season.

The request reflects the ongoing significance of hilsa in the cultural and culinary traditions of these regions, particularly during Durga Puja, when the fish is in high demand. The association has asked for intervention to ensure the availability of hilsa during this important period.

END/RH/AJ