Deadline to export hilsa to India extended to Oct 5

The government has extended the deadline for exporting hilsa to India to October 5 following pleas from traders, according to a circular from the commerce ministry yesterday.  

The latest extension came after the previous deadline expired on September 30.

Bangladesh plans to export around 3,000 tonnes of hilsa to India on the occasion of the Durga Puja, the biggest religious festival of the Hindu community.

The country has been exporting hilsa to India for the last three years as a goodwill gesture 15-20 days ahead of the Durga Puja festival, said Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, according to news agency BSS.

Sixty companies have received approval from the ministry to ship a maximum of 50 tonnes each. Last year, the government gave nod to 115 firms to export 4,600 tonnes of the popular fish to the neighbouring country. But only 1,100 tonnes were ultimately exported.