Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed urged people to conserve energy and reduce wastage of gas and electricity in order to bridge the gap between supply and demand. Speaking at a workshop and exhibition on "Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Programmes" at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Fakhruddin emphasized the importance of using energy-efficient lighting, implementing energy-saving technology in industries, and tapping into renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. He noted that the promotion of energy conservation and renewable energy technology has gained popularity worldwide due to the rising prices of petroleum products. Fakhruddin highlighted the growing awareness of the impact of climate change and the depletion of natural resources globally, stating that Bangladesh is also affected by this trend. The CA mentioned that the government was working on a draft of the Energy Conservation Act, which would include provisions in the building code to promote energy efficiency and conservation in buildings. Some of these provisions would involve shading buildings from sunlight, using energy-efficient air-conditioners and coolers, insulation materials, lights, and appliances. The government had been providing financial and technical support for solar home systems through implementing agencies, and had reduced import duty on solar panels from 5 percent to 3 percent. The government was also looking into other applications of solar energy, such as water heating, irrigation pumping, and street lighting, according to Fakhruddin. The CA mentioned that the government is interested in promoting private investments in economic sectors and encouraging public-private partnerships in the energy sector. They are also looking into adopting policies for the installation of merchant power plants by the private sector, which would allow small power plants, captive power plants, and merchant power plants to sell power to customers of their choice. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission will be responsible for overseeing this. Fakhruddin expressed hope that the workshop would generate new and creative ideas for promoting energy conservation and the use of renewable energy in the country.