On August 15, 2026, The Daily Star Centre hosted the grand finale of Season 5 of the Climate Justice Idea Competition 2026. The event brought together young innovators, mentors, judges, and partners for a day of urgent conversation, solutions, and hope.

The initiative developed a compact, fast-dissolving toilet cleaner tablet designed to replace conventional liquid cleaners and single-use plastic bottles.

Team Green Lanterns developed “SurjoGhat,” a solar retrofitting solution for traditional diesel-powered fishing and passenger boats.

Team Paal developed an affordable, highly portable, six-layer water filtration device designed specifically for low-income rural households in Bangladesh affected by severe water contamination.

Bangladesh’s economy is currently navigating a difficult phase, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting growth of 3.5 per cent in the current fiscal year (2026-27) amid continued economic pressures.

Bangladesh demonstrates strong policy ambition for green entrepreneurship, yet implementation gaps persist. Young entrepreneurs possess brilliant ideas but struggle to transform them into bankable, commercially viable projects.

Wooden furniture remains a staple in Bangladeshi homes, where a teak bed, mahogany dining table or gamari bookshelf often becomes part of a family’s household for years.

For decades, furniture in Bangladesh was often divided into two choices: locally made products that were accessible but conventional, or imported furniture with contemporary design at a much higher price.

Some furniture fills a room; some gives it character. Since beginning its journey in 2001, Koncept Furniture, a concern of Nasir Syntax Group (NSG), has evolved alongside Bangladesh’s furniture industry.

Bangladesh’s furniture market has shifted from carpenter-led production towards branded, technology-driven manufacturing, while smaller homes and changing lifestyles are reshaping demand.

Bangladesh’s premium furniture market is moving beyond costly materials towards design, functionality and experience.

Established in 1991, Nadia Furniture Limited has grown alongside Bangladesh’s evolving furniture industry, transforming from a local manufacturer into a trusted name in quality, design, and comprehensive furniture solutions.

The current design ethos centres on “Global Sensibility with Local Soul”- designing light, breathable spaces optimised for compact apartment layouts (1,200 to 1,800 sq. ft.) while remaining deeply rooted in South Asian textures.

Dhaka Bank PLC is expanding access to homeownership by addressing the specific needs of middle-income families, women, and NRBs.

IFIC Bank PLC has established itself as a market leader in home finance by prioritising middle-income accessibility and rural inclusion.

Bank Asia PLC. is addressing the home-finance gap by simplifying documentation, extending repayment tenures, and catering to underserved segments like women and first-time buyers.

NCC Bank PLC is widening access to homeownership through digital processing, alternative income assessment and incentives for greener housing.

As urban growth accelerates across Bangladesh, formal home financing remains largely out of reach for middle- and lower-income families.

City Bank PLC is seeking to widen access to home finance through longer tenures, alternative income assessment, parallel loan processing and financing options that extend beyond conventional urban housing.

Mutual Trust Bank PLC. is widening access to home finance through longer tenures, alternative income assessment and faster conditional approvals.