Dhaka, April 5 -- The Bangladesh government has decided to revise its previous fuel-saving directive, allowing stores, markets, and shopping malls to close at 7pm instead of 6pm.

The new decision was taken following a request from the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit.

"As a result, stores can stay open until 7pm."

The cabinet decided last Thursday that stores, markets and shopping malls could remain open from 9am to 6pm. However, wet markets, drug stores, hotels, restaurants and emergency services could remain open outside these restrictions.

The business community objected to the government order.

The Bangladesh Shop Owners Association then requested th...