Dhaka: Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury on Monday urged the countries of the region to enhance collaboration to attain a synergy in the power and energy sector.

He made the call while addressing the ministerial session of the three-day “Petrotech-2019” that began in Noida, India on Sunday as the keynote speaker, reports the UNB.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day biennial event, dubbed as the Asia’s largest international oil and gas conference and exhibition, on Monday, according to a message received here.

In his inaugural speech, Modi appreciated India’s growing cooperation with Bangladesh in the power and energy sector, and expressed optimism that the partnership will continue to scale up.

Eighteen ministers and 7,000 participants from 60 countries are attending the global event hosted by the Indian government.

Tawfiq-e-Elahi highlighted Bangladesh’s progress made in the power and energy sector since Awami League government assumed office in 2009.

He particularly emphasised the government’s endeavour to ensure access to energy by the people from all strata to achieve sustainable development goals.

The PM’s adviser also highlighted Bangladesh’s economic growth in the broad swaths of human development indicators during the last 10 years.

He said the access to electricity increased from 45 percent in 2009 to over 90 percent in 2019 and hoped to achieve cent percent access to electricity by 2020.

Tawfiq-e-Elahi underscored 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 systems in Bangladesh.

Participants of the conference acclaimed Bangladesh’s achievement to have the largest solar home system in the world.

On the sidelines of the event, the PM’s adviser met Indian Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan and discussed the progress of bilateral projects.

Both leaderships were in agreement to expedite these projects to achieve the common interests of the two countries.