Traders say stores, shopping malls will remain open until 10pm for Eid from May 12

They say the power minister has provided verbal approval

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association has said all stores and shopping malls will stay open until 10pm from May 12 for Eid-ul-Azha.

On Thursday, association President Mohammad Helal Uddin said they had requested extended hours until Eid.

“I spoke with the power minister. He said to keep the shops open,” he said.

When asked whether a formal directive would be issued, Helal said: “The minister has given verbal permission. He also said no SRO will be issued.”

However, Helal said the minister told businesses not to use additional lighting.

Due to the energy crisis driven by the Iran war, the government had ordered the closure of shops and malls at 6pm on Apr 3. Later, on the demand of traders, the time was extended by one hour from Apr 5.

On May 3, another platform called the Bangladesh Shopkeepers' Association petitioned the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to allow them to keep shops and malls open until 9pm.

At that time, the association said the decision to close shopping malls by 7pm was causing major financial losses because “most of the customers” shop after office hours.

"Sales have dropped because shops are closing before the scheduled time, disrupting business continuity," the association said in a letter.

If sales decrease, it will pose a risk to the government's VAT and revenue collection, it warned.