DHAKA
Bangladesh is officially tightening its belt as a major energy crisis takes hold. Faced with fuel shortages caused by ongoing conflicts in West Asia, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s cabinet has announced strict new daily schedules to save power and reduce spending. The move aims to protect the nation’s economy before the situation worsens.
Starting immediately, the workday is getting shorter. Both government and private offices must now operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banks will stop handling transactions at 3:00 pm to ensure they are closed an hour later. Perhaps the biggest change for locals is the new 6:00 pm curfew for shopping malls and retail stores. Only essential services, such as pharmacies and food outlets, are allowed to stay open late.
The government is also targeting “unnecessary” luxury. Decorative lighting at weddings is now banned, and the budget for official seminars and travel has been slashed by half. To look toward a greener future, the state is making it cheaper to bring in electric vehicles, offering tax breaks for schools and companies importing electric buses.
With the regional shortage hitting hard, Bangladesh has turned to India for fuel support. While India is reviewing the request, it must also balance its own energy needs and similar pleas for help from Sri Lanka and the Maldives. For now, the streets of Dhaka will be a little darker and the workdays a little shorter as the country waits for the global energy market to stabilize. These tough steps are seen as vital for survival.
