The government of Bangladesh has decided to extend the closing time for shopping centres, markets and retail outlets by one hour, allowing businesses to remain open until 7pm. The move comes amid ongoing efforts to balance economic activity with energy conservation as global fuel supplies remain under pressure due to the Middle East conflict.
The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association confirmed the decision on Sunday, saying it followed discussions between business leaders and government authorities.
Previously, as part of nationwide energy-saving measures, the government had directed all shopping malls and markets to close by 6pm to reduce electricity consumption.
Business owners, however, had expressed concern over the impact of the early closure on sales and livelihoods. The association had formally requested a revision of the directive and appealed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to extend operating hours until 8pm to allow for better commercial activity, especially during evening peak hours.
In response to these concerns, the government opted for a partial adjustment by extending the closing time to 7pm.
Industry insiders believe the revised schedule will offer some relief to traders while still maintaining a level of energy conservation.
Authorities indicated that the situation will continue to be monitored and further adjustments could be made depending on the evolving energy supply conditions.
