Bangladesh reduces working hours in light of the energy crisis resulting from the Iran war

Bangladesh has launched new measures to reduce energy consumption, including reducing working hours and reducing public spending, in light of the continuation of the Iran war, which has caused turmoil in global fuel markets and put pressure on electricity supplies in the South Asian country.

Officials said that the measures approved by the Bangladesh Cabinet on Thursday aim to achieve stability in the energy sector in Bangladesh, which relies heavily on fuel imports and is under pressure due to price fluctuations and uncertainty about supplies as a result of the Iran war.

According to the new rules, government offices will operate from nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, while markets and shopping centers must close their doors by six in the evening to reduce electricity consumption.

The government ordered a reduction in non-urgent public spending and urged a reduction in electricity consumption in industries, while imposing restrictions on excessive lighting, for example.

The Ministry of Education will issue directives to schools starting next Sunday, while considering options such as adjusting timetables and moving to online learning.

The authorities will also allow the import of electric buses for schools duty-free, while offering incentives to participants.

The authorities in Bangladesh are striving to secure energy supplies for the country’s population of about 175 million people, while exploring alternative sources in light of the fluctuations in global markets.

It is also looking to obtain external financing of more than $2.5 billion, to help pay the costs of importing fuel and liquefied natural gas, as rising energy costs lead to more pressure on foreign exchange reserves.