DHAKA, Apr 02 (V7N) — In a major move to support national energy conservation, the Bangladesh Shopkeepers’ Association has officially announced that all shops, commercial establishments, and shopping malls across the country must close by 8:00 PM daily. The decision, aimed at mitigating the impact of the ongoing international energy crisis, was detailed in a press release issued Thursday following a high-level joint meeting with the Dhaka Metropolitan Shopkeepers’ Association.

The new directive is part of a broader effort to reduce the country’s electricity consumption as Bangladesh grapples with supply strains and rising import costs. By shifting the closing time earlier, the association expects to significantly lower the peak-hour demand on the national power grid.

While the 8:00 PM curfew applies to most retail sectors, several critical services have been granted exemptions to ensure public welfare:

  • Pharmacies and Healthcare: Drugstores will remain open to provide emergency medical supplies.

  • Essential Services: Establishments providing vital utility services or emergency repairs.

  • Food & Hospitality: Hotels and restaurants may continue operations beyond the deadline.

  • Raw Markets (Kitchen Markets): Daily perishable goods markets will not be bound by the early closure.

The leadership of the Shopkeepers’ Association has urged all regional branches and local market committees to ensure strict compliance with the new timing starting immediately. This voluntary measure by the trade body aligns with recent government calls for "austere" energy usage, which have already seen a reduction in street lighting and a crackdown on illegal power connections in several districts.

Market leaders expressed hope that this collective sacrifice would help prevent more severe measures, such as scheduled rolling blackouts (load-shedding), during the upcoming summer months.

END/SMA/AJ