TDS Desk:

The government has approved sending 11,000 metric tons of hilsa to Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries in response to requests from expatriate Bangladeshis.

Farida Akhtar, adviser to the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, confirmed the decision on Monday (September 15) after a meeting with local officials, NGOs, women farmers, and private sector representatives at the Kurigram Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. She also said that ahead of Durga Puja, 1,200 metric tons of hilsa will be sent to India, less than half of last year’s export.

Farida Akhtar added that hilsa production has declined this year due to jhatka fishing, limiting domestic supply, but initiatives are underway to sell hilsa at affordable prices in some areas this month.

The meeting was attended by Kurigram Deputy Commissioner Sifat Mehnaz, Civil Surgeon Dr. Swapan Kumar Biswas, District Fisheries Officer Moktadir Khan, District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, and Additional Police Superintendent Masud Rana.