US EditionBangladesh Turns Off Lights as Mideast War Deepens Energy Crunch
Officials said the order limits lights, fans and air conditioners in offices as Bangladesh seeks to ease pressure on fuel supplies.
- On Friday, April 3, 2026, Bangladesh mandated earlier closing times for government offices, banks, and shops while banning decorative wedding lighting and setting air conditioning to 25°C to conserve power.
- Escalating conflict in the Middle East has intensified the nation's energy crunch, leaving Bangladesh—which imports nearly 95% of its oil and gas—highly vulnerable to supply shocks and price volatility.
- Top government secretary Nasimul Gani stated, "The fuel supply line is unsecured," as officials shortened work hours to 9am to 4pm for offices and 9am to 3pm for banks.
- Bangladesh has approached multilateral lenders for more than $2.5 billion in external financing to manage mounting energy costs as surging prices threaten foreign exchange reserves.
- Cabinet-Approved measures build upon earlier conservation efforts, including halting fertilizer factory production and deploying police at filling stations to address ongoing supply uncertainty and price volatility.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Malay Mail
AlKhaleej TodayLights out early: Bangladesh cuts office hours, rolls out austerity drive to curb energy use
DHAKA, April 3 — The Bangladeshi government has decided to reduce office hours and take a series of austerity measures to cope with the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by instability in West Asia.According to United News of Bangladesh (UNB), the decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday night. Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani announced the decisions at a briefing after the meeting.Under …
Energy crunch amid West Asia conflict forces Bangladesh Govt to cut work hours, close shops early - The Tribune
The Bangladesh Government announced a series of austerity measures in response to the ongoing energy crisis, worsened by the conflict in West Asia, which include shortening office hours, closing shops earlier, and reducing government expenditures across various sectors.
Bangladesh cuts working hours in bid to save energy amid crisis
Markets and shopping centres will have to close by 6pm under new energy saving laws in Bangladesh. Photo: Getty Images 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.
Bangladesh cuts working hours to save energy amid Middle East crisis
DHAKA: 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.
Bangladesh switches lights off
Bangladesh has instructed its civil servants to switch off the lights and turn down air conditioning to save power as the Middle East war worsens an energy crunch across Asia, officials said Monday. The South Asian nation of 170 million people imports 95% of its oil and gas needs. The Ministry of Public Administration issued a series of orders related to office attendance and saving electricity and fuel, ministry official Sakhawat Hossain told A…
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