Marine product exporters are optimistic about the budget’s provisions for prawn, fish and shrimp exports but stress the need for an effective delivery mechanism. The FM has announced financial support for setting up a network of nucleus breeding centres for shrimp broodstocks. Financing for shrimp farming, processing and export will be facilitated through Nabard.
Seafood Exporters Association of India (Bengal) pesident, Rajarshi Banerjee said that the step is welcome but credit policy is not enough, the mechanism of delivering credit through the lending bankers should be clearly established. “Nucleas breeding centres is good initiative and will help in farming and export. This will also reduce reliance on imported goods,” he added. Banerjee also said that the reduction of customs duty on various inputs, including a drop in duty on shrimp and fish feed from 15% to 5%, would help the industry.
Marine product exports from Bengal currently stand at around Rs 8,000 crore.