Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 16, 2026 (BSS) - Land Minister Mizanur Rahman Minu today said arrangements will be made to export fresh fish from Rajshahi to foreign countries by cargo aircraft.

"The Rajshahi airport will be expanded further to facilitate fish exports. Rajshahi will advance further with time," he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion and award distribution ceremony at the Rajshahi District Shilpakala Academy auditorium marking National Fisheries Fortnight-2026.

Earlier, Minu released fish fry into the Rajshahi Collectorate Pond. Later, a colourful rally, brought out from the Deputy Commissioner's office, ended at the District Shilpakala Academy.

The minister said Bangladesh would continue to make progress in the fisheries sector, noting that the country currently ranks eighth globally in fisheries production and holds first or second positions in some categories.

He said Bangladesh would become one of the world's most advanced countries in several sectors in the coming days.

"Future wars will not be fought over land; they will be fought over fresh water," he said, adding that Bangladesh possesses a vast reserve of freshwater, whose value would increase significantly in the future.

Minu said canals and beels around Rajshahi would be developed and made suitable for fish farming. Farmers in the region would be able to export their fish abroad and earn foreign currency, he added.

I urge the farmers of Rajshahi to cultivate fish using indigenous methods, the minister said.

The programme was presided over by Rajshahi Deputy Commissioner Kazi Shahidul Islam.

District Fisheries Officer Md Jahangir Alam delivered the welcome speech.

Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner ANM Dr Bazlur Rashid, Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton, Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Commissioner Faizul Kabir, Additional DIG of Rajshahi Range Khandaker Shamim Hossain and Rajshahi Divisional Fisheries Officer Saifuddin Yahya, among others, attended the programme.