Bangladesh Eases Curfew to Keep Economy Going After Protests
- Damages from protests, curfew estimated at $850 million
- US, biggest buyer of Bangladesh garments, condemns violence
Soldiers stand guard along a street during a curfew in Dhaka on July 23.
Photographer: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images
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Bangladesh relaxed a nationwide curfew after deadly protests last week, allowing the key garment export sector and banks to reopen as the government tries to get the economy back on track and stem the declines in foreign exchange reserves.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan announced the new measures after assuring garment factory owners of the security situation in a meeting in Dhaka Tuesday night. The authorities lifted the curfew from 10am to 5pm local time for Wednesday and Thursday and soldiers were still on the streets, diverting traffic from key government buildings.