The government has approved the exports of 1,200 tonnes of hilsa fish to India on the occasion of Durga Puja this year.

Interested exporters have been asked to submit fresh applications in hard copy by 11 September, within office hours (until 5pm), according to a notification issued by the commerce ministry on Monday.

“Even those who had already applied earlier without invitation must apply anew,” read the notification signed by Deputy Secretary SHM Magfurul Hasan Abbasi.

The government has set the minimum export price of hilsa at $12.5 per kg.

The demand for hilsa from Bangladesh is much higher in West Bengal of India, and the country exports hilsa each year ahead of Durga Puja.