DHAKA, Sept 6: The government of Bangladesh has decided to extend weekly holidays to two days -— Friday and Saturday. Besides, the government has decided to extend office timing by an hour.

The cabinet, in its weekly meeting on Monday with Prime Minister Khaleda Zia in the chair, approved the changes.

The changes will take effect from next Friday.

The decision aimed at coping with soaring oil prices and inadequate supply of electricity, a senior cabinet member said after the meeting on Monday.

The business community, however, criticized the government decision, saying it would affect foreign trade.