Hilsa Export thru' Benapole Land Port
Under-invoicing costs govt revenue
A Correspondent, Benapole, Jessore
A section of traders are depriving the government of a huge amount of revenue as they export hilsa fish to India through under-invoicing, Benapole land port sources have said.Hilsa fish are being exported at $3-$3.5 per kg only, said the sources, adding that the export price should be between $6 and $7. The delicious fish sells at Tk500-Tk800 a kg in local market whereas the export price of hilsa in local currency is Tk210-Tk245 a kg. The sources said the Indian importers force Bangladeshi exporters to go for under-invoicing as they [Indians] evade duties through the malpractice. Later, the Bangladeshi exporters receive the rest of the export money through hundi, an illegal way of money transfer. Some 52 shipments of hilsa worth around $1 million were sent to India in the last one and a half months. When contacted, Dr Shawkat Ali Sadi, assistant commissioner (customs) at Benapole land port, said the authorities are yet to receive any complaints of under-invoicing. If they receive, the authorities will take actions against any malpractice, he added. Hilsa are usually exported to India from Barisal, Chittagong, Chandpur, Jhalakathi, Bagerhat, Khulna and Jessore. The months of July, August and September are the peak season for hilsa export. According to statistics, hilsa valued at around Tk.200 crore are exported to India every year.
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