Bangladesh Shuts Shops, Banks Early To Tackle Deepening Fuel Crisis

Shopkeepers and office workers across Bangladesh will head home early from today as the government reduces working hours to manage an energy crisis triggered by the war in the Middle East. All shops and shopping malls across the country must now close by 6 pm, with the decision coming into effect this Friday.

Office hours across the country have been cut by one hour, running from 9 am to 4 pm instead of the usual 9 am to 5 pm schedule.

Banking transactions in Bangladesh will now take place from 9 am to 3 pm, with banks closing by 4 pm. Hotels, pharmacies, essential service shops, and perishable goods markets will not be affected by these restrictions.

The government took the decision to impose these limits during a cabinet meeting held on Thursday. The session was chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and continued for nearly three hours, concluding almost at midnight.

On Thursday, India confirmed it has received a request from Bangladesh for the supply of diesel, which is currently being examined by the government. Other neighbouring countries, including the Maldives and Sri Lanka, have also approached India for assistance.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said: "India is a major exporter of refined petroleum products, especially to our neighbourhood. We have received a request from the government of Bangladesh for the supply of diesel, which is being examined."

Underlining the people-centric and development-oriented approach to relations with Bangladesh, Jaiswal recalled how India has been supplying diesel from the Numaligarh refinery to Bangladesh since 2017. This has been managed through various modes, including waterways, rail, and later through the India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline.

The spokesperson further noted, "We have received requests from several other countries, including Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and these are being examined, taking into account our own energy requirements and availability."

India has already supplied an additional 5,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh as its supplies have been affected by the crisis.

Around 5,000 metric tonnes of diesel have been supplied from India to Bangladesh through the Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline, as the country seeks to maintain stable fuel supplies amid global disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East. The fuel was pumped into Bangladesh from the Numaligarh Refinery Limited in Assam and is expected to reach the Parbatipur depot in Dinajpur.

Bangladesh has also proposed importing an additional 50,000 metric tonnes of diesel from India over the next four months through the same pipeline, with the request currently under consideration.