Chief adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed urged people to conserve energy and avoid wasting gas and electricity in order to bridge the gap between energy demand and supply. 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 harnessing renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. He noted that promoting energy conservation and renewable energy technology has become a worldwide trend, driven by rising petroleum prices. Fakhruddin also highlighted the growing awareness of climate change and the depletion of natural resources globally, stating that Bangladesh is not exempt from these challenges. The government is in the process of drafting an Energy Conservation Act that will include provisions in the building code to promote the efficient use and conservation of energy in buildings. These provisions will involve shading buildings from sunlight, using energy-efficient air-conditioners and coolers, efficient insulation materials, energy-efficient lighting, and installing energy-efficient appliances. The government has also been offering financial and technical support for the promotion of solar home systems through implementing agencies, and has reduced import duties on solar panels from 5 percent to 3 percent. Additionally, the government is now focusing on expanding the use of solar energy to include applications such as water heating, water pumping for irrigation, and street lighting. The CA stated that the government was interested in promoting private investments in economic sectors and public-private partnerships in the energy industry. Additionally, they were looking into implementing policies that would allow private sector installation of merchant power plants. If these policies were adopted, small power plants, captive power plants, and merchant power plants would be able to sell power to their chosen customers. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission would be responsible for overseeing this. Fakhruddin expressed hope that the workshop would generate new and creative ideas for advancing energy conservation and the use of renewable energy in the country.