Bangladesh has allowed shrimp import from Myanmar to process here and then re-export to other countries.
The import has been allowed only through Teknaf Customs Station, according to a circular Controller of Imports and Exports issued on March 9.
The authorities would consider allowing the consignments on case-to-case basis subject to approval by the commerce ministry of Bangladesh – a shrimp exporting country.
The imported shrimp will not be allowed to sell in the local market while mother shrimp, baby shrimp and Bomar-type shrimp will not be allowed to import.
Chairman of Shrimp Cultivator Association Dr Aftabuzzam said: "It is a self-destructive decision by the government." Lower grade imported shrimp will have definite negative impact on the local shrimp industry.
Chairman of Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation Syed Mahmubul Haq said the decision would help increase the country’s export. New employment and investment will be created due to the increased export, he added.
Bangladesh exported frozen food, including shrimp, worth about US$419 million during July to January period of the current fiscal year, according to Export Promotion Bureau data.
The government has set an export target of $578.77 million for the item during the current fiscal year.
In 2012-13 fiscal year, frozen foods exports recorded 9% fall to $544m as fish production fell due to disease in prawn.
Demands for Tigers (Bangladeshi shrimps) has been increased in global market due to disease vannamei shrimps, which pushed prices up, M Khalilullah, vice president of Bangladesh Frozen Food Exporters Association (BFFEA) told the Dhaka Tribune earlier.
Though prices were up, the production remained low, he added.
Khalilullah said imposing additional duties by the US government on shrimp imports from five competitor countries, including India and Vietnam, has helped increase the export from Bangladesh.
The US Commerce Department increased the duty to 54.5% from 4.52% on shrimp imports from India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Ecuador as their governments provide huge subsidies for the farmers.