Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed urged people to conserve energy and reduce wastage of gas and electricity in order to bridge the gap between demand and supply. Speaking at a workshop and exhibition on "Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Programmes" at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Fakhruddin highlighted the importance of using energy-efficient lights, implementing energy-saving technology in industries, and harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. He noted that the promotion of energy conservation and renewable energy technology has become a worldwide trend due to the significant increase in petroleum prices. Fakhruddin emphasized the growing awareness of the effects of climate change and the depletion of natural resources globally, stating that Bangladesh is not exempt from this trend. The CA announced that the government is working on a draft of the Energy Conservation Act, which will include provisions in the building code to promote energy efficiency and conservation in buildings. These provisions will cover shading from sunlight, use of energy-efficient air-conditioning, insulation materials, energy-efficient lighting, and installation of energy-efficient appliances. The government has been offering financial and technical support for the expansion of solar home systems through implementing agencies and has reduced import duty on solar panels from 5 percent to 3 percent. The focus is now shifting towards other applications of solar energy, such as water heating, water pumping for irrigation, and street lighting, according to Fakhruddin. The CA mentioned that the government is interested in promoting private investments in the economy and encouraging public-private partnerships in the energy sector. They are also looking into implementing policies for private sector installation of merchant power plants, which would allow small power plants, captive power plants, and merchant power plants to sell power to their preferred customers. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission will be responsible for overseeing this issue. Fakhruddin expressed hope that the workshop would generate new ideas for promoting energy conservation and the use of renewable energy in the country.