Bangladesh to keep shops, markets closed after 8pm everyday to save power

The government has ordered the authorities to ensure that shopping malls, stores, kitchen markets and other places of trading remain closed after 8pm everyday in an effort to save power and fuel amid rising energy prices worldwide.

The Prime Minister’s Office announced the order on Sheikh Hasina’s instructions in a letter dated Thursday to several ministries, departments and local authorities, stating that the Bangladesh Labour Act already stipulates the closure of shops at 8pm.

To keep up with the global energy prices, the government earlier this month increased gas prices across the board. Power plants will now get gas at Tk 5.02 per cubic metre, up from Tk 4.45. Gas prices for captive power plants have been raised to Tk 16 from Tk 13.85.

Fuel prices began soaring after the Russia-Ukraine war began. Unrefined oil was sold at $65 per barrel in December last year, but the price leapt to $124 by March. It is now being sold at around $120 each barrel.

Data showed the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation or BPC made a lot of profit over the past seven years, but the war between Russia and Ukraine is biting into its revenues.