Hilsa imports from India halted through Benapole
Collected Photo
Hilsa imports from India through the Benapole land port have been completely halted after the Department of Fisheries canceled 103 no objection certificates (NOCs).
The decision to cancel the NOCs was communicated in a letter signed by Department of Fisheries Acting Director General Dr. Md Khaled Kank.
The directive took immediate effect, bringing hilsa import operations through the port to a halt.
Benapole land port Fish Quarantine Inspector Ashwadul Alam confirmed the matter.
Aminul Haque, vice president of the Benapole Port Importers and Exporters Association, said, ‘We received a letter from the Department of Fisheries regarding the cancellation of several NOCs. The sudden decision has halted hilsa imports. This has put traders in a difficult situation.’
Hilsa importer Ziaur Rahman said, ‘The sudden decision to halt imports is causing us to face major financial losses. The hilsa purchased and stored in various warehouses in India will now have to be sold there at lower prices. In addition, the incidental expenses already incurred for importing the fish will not be recovered.’
Benapole land port Fish Quarantine Inspector Ashwadul Alam said they received the government letter on Wednesday regarding the cancellation of 103 NOCs. The decision was implemented immediately in accordance with the directive.
According to port sources, a total of 352,786 kilograms, or around 353 tonnes, of hilsa were imported from India through the Benapole land port in the past two months, July and August. The estimated value of the fish was Tk 64.3 million.
