Russia lifts ban on Indian seafood imports

The Russian government has allowed 46 Indian seafood companies to re-start their exports to the country in lieu with the signing of a protocol between India and Russia.

India's Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) chairperson Leena Nair had recently visited Russia and sorted out the various issues pertaining to exports to that country.

Russia had banned import from India during June this year, and later lifted the ban due to the initiatives made by Nair.

A Russian delegation visited India in December last year in hopes to enhance imports, however Russia had insisted to sign a protocol for doing business with India, in which did not happen and hence the ban was imposed.

Exports to Russia had grown by 110 percent in 2008-09. Total exports were 4,500 tonnes valued at Rs35 crore in 2007-08 and this went up to 9,400 tonnes valued at Rs115 crore in 2008-09.

All the 46 companies had been exporting to Russia for the last two years.

US$1 = Rs48.730 (Aug 18)