DHAKA, Feb 11, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury today put emphasis on regional collaboration to attain synergy in the power and energy sectors.
The adviser was addressing the ministerial session of the “Petrotech-2019” as the keynote speaker at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day biannual event dubbed as Asia’s largest international oil & gas conference and exhibition, according to a message received here.
Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi highlighted the progress the government of Bangladesh has made in the power and energy sectors since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assumed office in 2009.
He emphasized the government’s endeavor to ensure access to energy of all strata of the people in order to achieve sustainable development goals.
The adviser further highlighted the speedy economic growth of Bangladesh along with the progress made in the broad swaths of human development indicators during the last 10 years of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Unprecedented progress has taken place in power and energy sector,” he said, adding access to electricity increased from 45% in 2009 to over 90% now, hoping to achieve universal access to electricity by 2020.
Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi stressed the need for creative and innovative solutions for developing countries to meet the challenges ahead.
He cited the example of over 5 million houses having access to power through solar home system in Bangladesh.
Pointing out India’s growing cooperation with Bangladesh in the power and energy sectors, Modi expressed his optimism that this partnership will continue to scale up.
As many as 18 ministers and 7,000 participants from 60 countries are attending this global event hosted by the government of India.
On the sidelines of the event, the adviser met Indian Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan and discussed with him progress of bilateral projects.
Both leaderships were in agreement to expedite these projects in the common interests of the two countries.