Shop Owners' Association decides shops to close by 8 pm to save energy

The Bangladesh Shop Owners' Association has decided that all shops and malls nationwide, including those in the capital, will close daily by 8 pm to conserve electricity and fuel.

The decision was taken on Thursday at a joint meeting of the Association's Standing Committee and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Owners' Association, according to a press release.

The measure aims to support the government's energy-saving initiative amid the ongoing international energy crisis, the release added.

While the closure mandate applies to all general retail and commercial operations throughout the country including those in the capital, the association said certain essential services such as hotels, pharmacies, emergency service shops and kitchen markets are exempt.