Bangladesh returns to its regular work routine today (Monday) as government and private offices, banks and stock markets reopen following the week-long Eid-ul-Azha holiday, restoring full-scale administrative, financial and commercial activities across the country.
The government declared public holidays from May 25 to May 31, including weekly holidays, to mark Eid-ul-Azha, one of the most important religious festivals for Muslims.
Following the extended break, a large number of government employees and private-sector professionals have already begun returning to Dhaka from their hometowns.
Major transport hubs, including bus terminals, railway stations and river ports, witnessed heavy passenger traffic as people rushed back to the capital ahead of the reopening.
The government had earlier announced that banks and offices would reopen on June 1 following the Eid holiday.
However, some bank branches in industrial areas, particularly garment-producing zones, remained open on May 25 and May 26 to facilitate the payment of salaries and festival bonuses to workers in the readymade garment sector.
The authorities also instructed selected bank branches, sub-branches and booths at seaports, land ports and airports to provide limited banking services during the holidays to support import and export operations.
Meanwhile, trading and official activities at the country's two stock exchanges - the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and Chittagong Stock Exchange (CSE) - will also resume today after remaining closed throughout the Eid vacation.
According to DSE officials, trading will begin at 10:00am and continue until 2:30pm, including a 10-minute post-closing session.
The newspaper industry also observed a five-day Eid holiday from May 26 to May 30, as announced by the Newspaper Owners' Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).
With the holiday period now over, the country is set to return to its normal rhythm of administrative, financial and commercial activities from today.
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