The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MOFL)

The Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MOFL) is responsible for the development of inland and marine fisheries sector in Bangladesh.

The National Fisheries Policy (1998) - outlines the country's policies on fisheries resources, utilization of the inland water base, conservation of marine fisheries, farming including coastal aquaculture of fish and shrimp, fishery research, extension services, export policy and regulations including quality assurance, monitoring and implementation etc.

• Fisheries Policy
  
  

  The National Export Policy - Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), Bangladesh under the Ministry of Commerce is a government agency of the country, entrusted with the responsibilities of promoting export of the country. It is mainly responsible for:

  • Coordinating export development efforts at different sectors and production levels;
  • Formulating and adopting of policy and program for active promotion of exports;
  • Coordinating, monitoring and evaluating national export performance and analyzing export trends;
  • Carrying out promotional activities in product development & expansion of supply side capacity ;
  • Exploring markets of exportable's abroad;
  • Collecting and disseminating trade information to the stakeholders;
  • Organizing participation in international trade fairs abroad;
  • Imparting training for HRD ;
  • Conducting studies, surveys, research etc. for expansion and diversification of export and Administering and monitoring of RMG quota.

  EPB also assists the Ministry of Commerce in formulating policies related to export of the country.

• Export Policy
  
  Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh is an autonomous organization entrusted with promotion of exports from Bangladesh . It is mainly responsible for policy and programme measures for promotion of exports, coordination of export development efforts at various levels, coordination and monitoring of national export programmes and progress, exploration of markets abroad, organization of participation in international Fairs and export fairs abroad. Information regarding Export Promotion Bureau is available at http://www.epb.gov.bd
  
  
• Import Policy
  
  Wide-ranging changes and expansion in the world trade owing to the process of evolution in globalization and free market economy have facilitated free flow of goods which resulted in worldwide trade competition. In order to cope with the situation, steps have been taken to make the Import Policy Order of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh up-to-date in consonance with the emerging trends in the globalized and free market economy. Consistent with the changes in the trend of world trade with the conclusion of Uruguay Round of Multi-lateral Trade Negotiations and creation of the W.T.O. towards the close of the 20th century, Bangladesh has been pursuing steps towards liberalization of her Trade Policy. This Import Policy is being published at the beginning of the 21st century also keeping in consideration the impact of free global trade on the garment sector of the country after 2004. However, protection policy to a bare minimum has been pursued, considering public health and security as well as social, cultural and religious norms and bindings. In the formulation of this new Import Policy Order all the commitments made by the past and the present governments under W.T.O. agreements have been duly taken care of, as the three-year Import Policy Order can, by no means, be kept outside the principles and objectives of those commitments.
  

The Department of Fisheries (DOF) is the national export inspection agency for fishery products in Bangladesh.
DOF is also the designated competent authority for safety, inspection and quality assurance for fishery exports to the EU. The agency also issues export permits for fishery products.

The Ministry of Commerce is broadly responsible for export development of all products including seafood from Bangladesh. It plays a catalytic role in promoting fishery exports. The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is the authority responsible for trade promotion of the country.

List of Seafood Exporters from Bangladesh

The Department of Fisheries collects national fisheries data. DOF publishes the "Fishery Statistical Yearbook" for the fiscal year. The fishery year book reports detailed statistics on inland and marine fisheries landings including aquaculture. DOF publications also report fishery export data, sourced from the Export Promotion Bureau.

The Export Promotion Bureau prepares monthly export statistics including fishery products using 4-6 digit HS codes. EPB is also the only regular source of fishery trade statistics in the country.  
For access to latest fisheries export data please click this link : Statistics

Bangladesh enjoys a zero import duty (under the GSP scheme) for its fishery exports to the major markets - the EU, the USA and Japan.

The Ministry of Commerce is the focal point of WTO in Bangladesh. The WTO matters related to exports, import, tariffs, concessions (GSP etc.), SPS and TBT are handled by this ministry.

Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association [ BFFEA ]

This is the largest and most active representation of the fishery industry in Bangladesh. It has 80 members, including 56 processing enterprises accredited for the EU market, engaged in processing and exports of frozen fishery products.

Bangladesh Marine Fisheries Association (BMFA):

This is a group of industrial fishing vessel operators (mostly trawlers). The Association has 22 members. Their export products are on-board frozen, and the main market area for its products is the Asia Far East; Japan is the major market for shrimp, the commodity targeted for exports.

Bangladesh Dried Fish Exporters Association:

The association is based in Cox's bazaar in Chittagong Division. Salted dried croaker, also known as jewfish, dried fish maws and shark fins are the main items exported by its members.