Dhaka, April 3 -- The Bangladesh Shop Owners' Association has urged the government to reconsider its decision requiring shops, markets, and shopping malls to close after 6pm.

The government's move is part of energy-saving measures aimed at coping with rising fuel and electricity demands amid the Gulf conflict.

After a meeting on Friday, the group requested the prime minister to allow stores to open at 11am instead of 9am and remain operational until 8pm.

The association highlighted that schedules should take into account 70 million shop owners and businesspeople and 250 million employees nationwide.

It was signed by association President Md Nazmul Hasan Mahmud and General Secretary Md Arifur Rahman Tipu.

Following a cabinet meeting T...