The government has allowed 79 traders to export a total of 3,950 tonnes of hilsa fish to India.   

The permission will remain in place until October 30.

Each firm has been allowed to ship 50 tonnes of the popular fish, according to a notice from the commerce ministry yesterday.

The notice came after the firms applied to the ministry to export the fish to the neighbouring country on the occasion of the Durga Puja when the demand rises.

According to the export policy order, the export of hilsa from Bangladesh is banned. However, every year before the religious festival, a large number of exporters seek approval from the commerce ministry to send hilsa to India.

Last year, the ministry granted permission to ship 2,900 tonnes of hilsa to India. Traders, however, exported 1,352 tonnes of the fish, according to an official of the ministry.