First consignment of 38 MT Hilsa from B'desh reaches state

First consignment of Bangladeshi Hilsa reached West Bengal through Petrapole border on Wednesday eight days after the interim government of the Prime Minister Md Yunus on 8 September decided to export 1,200 MT silver fish of the Padma to India ahead of the Durga Puja festival virtually bringing smiles on the faces of fish-loving Bengalis in the state.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

Last year, Bangladesh had approved 2,420 MT of silver fish of the Padma to India but only 577 MT had reached. Today, when Bengal is celebrating Viswakarma Puja eight trucks carrying 38 MT Hilsa from Bangladesh reached Petrapole border in North 24-Parganas district.

On Tuesday, the commerce ministry in Bangladesh approved 37 agencies in the country to export the most coveted fish for Bengalis to India.

As per the directives of the commerce ministry, the agencies have been asked to export the entire 1200 MT Hilsa by 5 October with effect from 16 September.

Hilsa lovers in the city and outskirts hope that the huge import of the Bangladeshi silver fish might bring down its price in retail markets.