Traders give conflicting statements

A section of shop owners have announced that all shops, retail outlets and shopping malls across the country will close by 8pm daily to help ease pressure from the ongoing global energy crisis, while another major organisation says no such decision has been taken.

The shop closure decision was disclosed in a statement on Thursday following a joint meeting of the standing committees of the Bangladesh Shop Business Owner’s Association and the Dhaka Metropolitan Shop Business Owner’s Association.

The move is aimed at conserving electricity and fuel amid instability in international energy markets triggered by the Middle East situation.

According to the decision, all shops and malls will shut by 8pm, while essential services such as hotels, pharmacies and kitchen markets will remain open beyond the deadline.

Association President Md Nazmul Hasan Mahmud and General Secretary Md Arifur Rahman Tipu urged traders to comply with the directive.

However, the Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association has rejected the announcement, saying no final decision has been taken to enforce an 8pm closure.

In a video message, its President Helal Uddin said the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has convened a meeting on Saturday to discuss the issue.

The meeting will be attended by the home minister and commerce minister, along with district-level leaders of the association, where energy-saving measures and a possible collective decision will be discussed, he added.