Flowering plants rise as if by magic from Lake Victoria onto a wooden boat, giving it a leafy ambiance that enchants many visitors. The initial attraction becomes more compelling when tourists to Uganda learn that the greenery emerges from an innovative recycling project which uses thousands of dirt-encrusted plastic bottles to anchor the boat. Former tour guide James Kateeba started building the boat in 2017 in response to the tons of plastic waste he saw in the lake after heavy rains. He realized the vessel could serve as an example of a sustainable business on the shores of Lake Victoria: a floating restaurant and bar that could be unmoored to drift for pleasure. Also Read: Zimbabwe, Uganda launch first satellites Many who come to relax here in Luzira, a lakeside suburb of Uganda's capital, Kampala, know nothing of the boat’s backstory. Kateeba insists it’s first and foremost “a conservation effort,” one man’s attempt to protect one of Africa's great lakes from degradation. Lake Victoria is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake and spans three countries. Yet it is plagued by runoff waste and other pollution, sand mining and a decline in water levels due in part to climate change. Layers of plastic waste float near some beaches during the rainy season, a visible sign of the pollution that's a worry for fishing communities heavily dependent on the lake. “The fact that we had a problem of pollution as a country ... I decided to design something out of the ordinary,” Kateeba said, surveying the lake horizon tinged with a green substance that indicates contaminants from a nearby brewery. Also Read: China's ZTE, local telecom firm start 5G technology trial in Uganda He started by asking fishermen from nearby landing sites to collect plastic bottles for a small fee. He received more than 10 tons of bottles within six months. Batches were tied up in fishing nets and daubed with solid dirt, creating the firm bases upon which the boat is moored and that are also fertile ground for climbing tropical plants. Today, the boat, marketed as the Floating Island, can comfortably serve 100 visitors at a time, Kateeba said. “This is morning glory,” he said proudly, caressing a vibrant flowering vine one recent afternoon as he prepared to unmoor the boat for the enjoyment of his customers. Elsewhere on the boat, a group of TikToking teenagers danced. Upstairs, a carpenter was building a new wooden sun deck. Jaro Matusiewicz, a businessman visiting from Greece, said he had “never seen a place like this,” praising the boat's “accommodative” atmosphere as he dug into fish and chips. “This is a very good idea,” he said. “If he’s collecting the bottles and using them, it’s fantastic! ... You are not only cleaning the environment but also providing something unique, very unique.” A similar project was launched in 2018 on the beaches of Kenya, where a small boat, known as the Flipflopi, was built entirely from recycled plastic that once littered sandy shores and towns along the Indian Ocean. In 2021 the Flipflopi went on a voyage on Lake Victoria “to raise awareness of the pollution plaguing the region’s most critical freshwater ecosystem, ” according to the United Nations Environment Programme. Kateeba said he hopes his boat is exemplary. “I am sure, with some bit of experience that we gain from this, we should be able to encourage other people to design things,” he said. “Other methods, not necessarily this type ... of trying to deal with plastic pollution on Lake Victoria.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday asked the BCS officers to utilise their innovative power and talents in building Bangladesh smartly. “In continuation of the works (the progress) we’ve done, you all will have to think afresh how this country can be built in more nice ways by utilizing your innovative power and talents,” she said.   The premier was addressing the certificate-awarding and closing ceremony of the 74th foundation training course of BCS officers at her office in the city. Noting that Bangladesh now gets dignity as a development model in the world, she asked the new BCS cadres to uphold this dignity. She said the country witnessed a radical change in a short period and asked the new officers to continue this development trend.  Hasina said they will build the country as a smart Bangladesh by 2041 through making the population, economy and all social systems smart. Read more: Encourage children to take to sports & games: PM Hasina In this time, she described the fresh officers as the soldiers in the implementation of the ‘2041 Smart Bangladesh’ vision as they will go to higher posts in the government services gradually in future. “So, everyone will have to have new thoughts on how a matter can be made more nice and developed in their respective place,” she said. The premier reiterated her call to the countrymen to show austerity in using resources including electricity, water and gas as it is not known when the Ukraine war will stop. The price of every commodity and transport cost went up throughout the world due to the one-after-another sanctions and counter-sanctions. The entire people of the country should be conscious in this regard as well as should make savings, become economical and show austerity in the use of everything, she said. The PM asked the administration to promote the people to exercise austerity in the use of resources and raise food production in the country to offset the global crisis. State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain, Public Administration Secretary Mohammad Mezbahuddin Chowdhury and Rector of Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre (BPATC) Md Ashraf Uddin also spoke at the function.

Stakeholders will have to develop innovative and smart solutions for managing plastic waste in Bangladesh, LGRD Minister Md Tazul Islam said Saturday. "Waste collection is now not considered to be sustainable as it is still not viewed as a business proposition," he added while speaking at the seminar "Enabling policy for sustainable plastic waste management" in Dhaka. An effective solution would be the circular system, which ensures the consumption of plastic does not increase and moves towards a sustainable waste management model, Tazul said. "We must also empower the value chain actors and provide holistic support to the informal sector, comprising the micro-entrepreneurs, scrap dealers and waste pickers. This informal yet important sector must be facilitated and a proper structure should be developed for our own sake," he added. Read: Deal signed to set up waste-based power plant in Narayanganj "The government's Vision 2041 has incorporated plastic waste management in its sustainable urbanisation goals," Senior Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office Md Tofazzal Hossain Miah said at the programme jointly organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Unilever Bangladesh. Unilever Bangladesh CEO and Managing Director Zaved Akhtar and FBCCI President Md Jasim Uddin also spoke.

Walton has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South Korea-based HAAN Easy Life to develop new and innovative appliances and expand its global market presence. Also, Walton and HAAN will collaborate on the second-generation vacuum cleaner model. The model already got the "RED DOT Award 2022."  HAAN Chairman Nam Sukh Koh and Walton Global Business Division President Edward Kim signed the MoU in Dhaka Tuesday, according to a media statement. Nam Sukh Koh said: "I am very much excited and amazed to see the facilities and manufacturing plant like this (Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC). This is the best time for Walton and Bangladesh to grow in the consumer electronics market as everybody is looking for alternative options to come out from China."  Read: Walton launches 1st smartphone of its new series 'Orbit' Walton Managing Director and CEO Golam Murshed said: "Walton has already established a design and innovation centre in Korea for its global expansion. We are now focusing on creating new and innovative products. Walton will participate in the CES fair in the US in January 2023 to showcase its new products." 

Mobile financial services provider (MFS) Nagad has won the "Best Innovative Digital Financial Services Brand" award of the UK-based Global Brands Magazine. Also, Tanvir A Mishuk, founder and managing director of Nagad, was named "Fintech Personality of the Year 2022." Global Brands Magazine recently announced the awards in its 10th edition.  READ: Nagad organises workshop on money laundering & crime control The magazine has been recognising innovations and accomplishments in several businesses such as fintech, banking, education, and technology. This year, it awarded the best organisations in 11 industries, including airlines, banking and finance, fintech, consultancy, education, education technology, the stock market, insurance, investment, leadership, and technology. Nagad has positioned itself as the country's second-largest MFS provider in less than two years through a series of innovations and customer-centric services since its establishment. Read Nagad training workshop with Postal officials held It already won several awards from both domestic and international institutions. Tanvir was selected for the award for his exceptional contribution to financial inclusion in Bangladesh through Nagad.

Smartphone brand realme is going to hold a GT 2 series special event to introduce three innovative technologies on December 20.  With the introduction of a new phone from realme’s premium flagship GT 2 realme will be moving into the high-end global market. READ: Daraz 12.12 campaign: Realme announces up to 12% discount Making cutting-edge technologies and trendsetting designs available to the young users has always been a priority for realme. In continuation to it, realm will introduce three new technologies for GT 2 series. The innovations will be in terms of materials, photography and communication.  Realme is developing a diverse portfolio of 5G products with an aim to offer 100 million 5G phones in the next three years for the youth. Besides affordable 5G phones, realme will also bring more AIoT products to young consumers as realme has entered AIoT 2.0 development phase with its advanced ‘1+5+T’ strategy. READ: Realme launches campaign with opportunity to win Tk 1 lakh

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative in Bangladesh Robert Simpson has said the young people of Bangladesh, despite many challenges, are coming up with innovative game-changing solutions that can leverage transformation in agriculture and food sector. He, while addressing an event marking International Youth Day on Thursday, highlighted the achievements of youth in agri-food system of the country Simpson said private sector partners are promoting small-scale farming and agri-businesses to maximize their profit through access to finance, agricultural inputs, advisory services, insurance, and markets; and creating applications as a one-stop virtual sales solution. Also read: Bangladesh elected FAO Council member He also talked about the important roles of academia, private sector actors, NGOs, development partners, and the government, in nurturing the youth.  International Youth Day celebrates the qualities of young people and recognises the challenges that today’s youth face.   The theme of International Youth Day 2021 is, “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”, with the aim of highlighting that the success of such a global effort will not be achieved without the meaningful participation of young people.  More than 50 students from seven different universities of the country joined in a discussion with six young entrepreneurs and professionals to emphasize the youths’ role in transforming the food systems.  The event was organized by FAO’s Dhaka Food System project, an initiative funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Professor Dr Lutful Hassan, Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) graced the event as the Chief Guest.  Paula Schindeler, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands was present as the special guest.  Also read: ‘Country-driven’ approach needed to limit COVID-19 effects on food security: FAO Chief “This year’s IYD theme is timely and promising. It is now well recognized that simply producing food will not ensure human and planetary wellbeing. Social-, economic- and environmental aspects of food systems are equally important for a healthier planet," said Paula. "For that we have to convert the existing food system where we will need more and more innovative and capable young people to boost the transformation process," she said. John Taylor, Chief Technical Adviser of Dhaka Food System project said with growth and expansion around the city, and rising land prices, it becomes difficult for farmers in the periphery to maintain their farms, this leads to food having to come from further and further away.  "This can lead to higher costs for our food,” said Taylor while talking about food system and its challenges.  FAO invited six young entrepreneurs and professionals, who have contributed to different areas of the food system in Bangladesh, to share their experiences with the participants.  The speakers for this event were Fahad Ifaz, CEO, iFarmer; Shamim Murad, General Manager - Digital Services, ACI Agribusiness; Sharmeen Islam Eva, student, Bangladesh Agricultural University; Mukul Islam, Successful Entrepreneur (SaFaL project); Sudip Debnath, Assistant Professor, Khulna University; and Jannati Akhter Shumi, Community Nutrition Volunteer (SaFaL project).  As expressed by youth during the Pre-Summit of the UNFSS in July, young people are concerned about the existing food systems that are no longer fit to purpose.  The current generation has not given the next generation the sustainable means of feeding a larger population.  Also read: COVID-19: WTO, FAO, WHO call for keeping food trade flowing Young people are to inherit a planet that will be four degrees warmer, threatening the availability and nutritional quality food.  From farm to fork, food systems account for about one-third of all global greenhouse gases.  Food’s value chains are becoming increasingly complex, with foods travelling longer and passing through multiple stages. In addition, food loss and waste became a major challenge in the food systems. More than 1.3 billion tons of food are lost or wasted each year.  People in the age group of 18 to 35 years comprise one third of Bangladesh's population and significant number of them are women. The health, education and active engagement of this segment are crucial for achieving a sustainable food system for the country.  The youth wish to point out that leaders today should be investing now to support the youth of tomorrow. 

When the onion price hit the roof with each kg being sold at Tk 250, a farmer in Tentulia upazila came up with an innovative idea of cultivating the bulb in bottles that can be harvested round the year.   “Initially, I began cultivating onions in a single bottle on an experimental basis. Without spending a lot…I got good yields in just a few days and then I decided to grow onions in more bottles throughout the year at my home,” said the farmer, Ataur Rahman, hailing from Dangapara village.   He said he has taken all the preparations to grow onions in 10-15 bottles.   This method of cultivation is quite simple and inexpensive as explained by Ataur Rahman himself.   One has to cut off the neck of the bottle, punch some holes around the bottle, position the bulbs with the sprouts by the holes so they grow out neatly. Then one has to layer on the soil and sprouts until the bottle is full, water it and give it some light.   In barely a week, green leaves will start coming out through the small holes and after three months, fully-grown onions can be removed from a bottle.   According to Ataur Rahman, at least half a kg of onion can be planted inside a plastic bottle with a 2.5-litre capacity. Maximum 50 onions can be sown in one bottle.