Thailand wants a slice of Hilsa on its platter

Thailand has expressed its keenness to import Hilsa fish from Bangladesh.

The eagerness of the Thai people to savour the fish Bengalis swear by was conveyed to Fisheries Minister Sayedul Hoque by Thai ambassador Panpimon Suwannapongse at their meeting on Wednesday.

A statement by the ministry said that following a feasibility study, the minister said that arrangements were being made to honour the Thai request.

A policy, adopted in August last year, allows for a three year relaxation on a complete prohibition on Hilsa export.

Hilsa is a much-in-demand food across the world with Bengali settlement.

Hilsa is in demand in India's West Bengal and in America and Europe where there is a sizeable Bengali population.

The ministry statement said that the ambassador had also invited the minster for a visit to Thailand and had requested that he inspect the fisheries department in his country.