Bangladesh has launched fresh measures to curb energy consumption, cutting office hours and trimming public spending as conflict in the Middle East disrupts global fuel markets and strains power supply in the South Asian nation.
Officials said the steps approved by the cabinet yesterday aim to stabilize the energy situation in Bangladesh, which is heavily dependent on fuel imports and battered by price volatility and supply uncertainty from the U.S.‑Israeli war with Iran.
Under the new rules, government offices will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while markets and shopping centers must shut by 6 p.m. to reduce electricity use. The government has also ordered cuts in non-essential public expenditure and urged lower power consumption in industry, with curbs on excessive lighting, for example.
The education ministry will issue guidelines for schools starting Sunday, with options such as adjusting timetables and shifting to online classes being considered.
