"We export hilsa to not only India, but also many other countries in North America and Europe. Our only target is to keep the price of hilsa stable in the local market," he told reporters at a press briefing at the conference room of the fisheries and livestock ministry.

He also said that the ban would not be applicable to those exporters who have already opened the Letter of Credit (L/C) or received remittance for export of the fish. The commerce ministry issued an order in this regard yesterday, he added.

Any commodities can be exported only after the local demands are met, the adviser said, adding that "We have found that hilsa is quite pricey in the local market, which is beyond the reach of common people. This prompted us to take such a decision."

Majority people of Bangladesh do not get sufficient protein in their diet, while the demand for protein will increase during the upcoming Ramadan, he said. "We want that hilsa price becomes stable soon so that common people can afford it."

Nazrul Islam, director general of the department of fisheries, said a survey conducted in 10 wholesale and 8 retail markets following the ban revealed that the price of the fish has decreased by 10 to 15 percent on an average.

The price of hilsa depends on its supply chain, adviser CS Karim said, adding that the government has taken initiatives to develop the landing stations so that the fishermen can directly sell fish to the customers there instead of selling fish to the middlemen.

Additional Secretary of the commerce ministry Golam Mostakim said Bangladesh exported 4,495 metric tonnes of hilsa only through Benapole port, earning Tk 71.50 crore in 2005-06.

Fisheries and livestock ministry Secretary Syed Ataur Rahman and Bangladesh Bank Economic Adviser Habibullah Bahar were also present.