With its work-life balanced culture and high quality of life, Germany stands out as an attractive destination for Bangladeshis seeking professional opportunities. The thriving economy of the country, a member of the EU (European Union), offers excellent prospects for skilled workers. The recent introduction of the Opportunity Card has streamlined the process, making it a more structured and accessible pathway for qualified professionals. This article offers a comprehensive guide to obtaining the German Opportunity Card from Bangladesh, covering key details on eligibility criteria and application procedures. What is the German Opportunity Card? The Opportunity Card is a permit that allows skilled workers from countries outside the EU, EEA (European Economic Area), or Switzerland to enter Germany for employment purposes. As a residence permit, it is valid for up to one year, during which the cardholder must secure employment. To obtain the card, applicants must provide proper proof of eligibility for the relevant employment. Who is Eligible for the German Opportunity Card? The card is primarily issued to two types of citizens from non-EU, EEA, or Swiss countries: 1. Individuals with a fully recognized German professional or educational qualification:Applicants must have an educational or professional certificate recognized in Germany, either from a home-country institution recognized by Germany or from an institution located in Germany. 2. Those who are not yet established workers but meet specific conditions:Applicants must fulfill the following criteria: - Hold an academic degree from a German university or a university recognized by Germany in their home country. - Have completed at least two years of vocational training from an institution in Germany or one recognized by Germany in the home country. - Demonstrate language proficiency: at least level A1 in German or level B2 in English according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). An IELTS score of 5.5 to 6.5 or a TOEFL IBT score of 72 to 94 is equivalent to CEFR level B2. Read more: Free Education in Germany for International Students in Bachelor, Masters, PhD German Opportunity Card Point System Applicants under Category 2 must meet a point-based system to increase their chances of receiving the card. Achieving a minimum of six points is necessary. The points are distributed as follows: Equivalence of Qualifications (4 points): Four points are awarded if the completed degree or training is partially equivalent. For professions requiring a license, four points are given before licensure, but the license test must be passed before the residence permit is granted. Eligibility for Shortage Occupations (1 point): One point is awarded for degrees or vocational training in shortage professions in the German job market, such as mining managers, chemists, civil engineers, and software developers. A full list of shortage occupations can be found here:https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/fileadmin/1_Rebrush_2022/a_Fachkraefte/PDF-Dateien/3_Visum_u_Aufenthalt/2024_Mangelberufe_EN.pdf. Professional Experience (2 to 3 points): Two points for at least two years of relevant professional experience within the last five yearsThree points for at least five years of experience within the last seven years. Language Proficiency (1 to 4 points): One point for A2-level German proficiency, two points for B1, and three points for B2 or higher.An additional point is given for C1-level English proficiency or if the applicant is a native speaker.Age (1 to 2 points): - Applicants under 35 receive two points- Those who are aged 35 to 40, receive one point. Residence Record in Germany (1 point): One point is given for having legally lived in Germany for at least six months in the past five years, regardless of the purpose (study, work, or travel).Spouse as a Skilled Worker (1 point): If one spouse meets the Opportunity Card criteria, the other spouse receives one point.To check eligibility before starting the final application, visit the following link:https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/self-check-opportunity-card#c52628. Read more: Higher Study in Germany: Scholarship Opportunities for Bangladeshi and Other International Students Benefits of the German Opportunity Card This card initially allows the holder to find work in Germany for a maximum of 1 year. After this period, the card can be extended for up to 2 additional years while staying in Germany. Cardholders can pursue employment or self-employment opportunities. This permit allows for one or more part-time jobs totaling 20 hours per week. As part of their job search, cardholders can undertake a job trial for a maximum of 2 weeks per employer.

When Joan Monfort took photos of Lionel Messi with a baby for a charity calendar almost 17 years ago, he knew the long-haired young man would make it big in soccer. He could not have imagined the little boy would as well. The baby in the photos — which have gone viral — was none other than Lamine Yamal, the Spanish wunderkind, who at 16 is showing such promise that he’s already being compared to the greats. The youngest to have played for Spain, he became the youngest player ever in the ongoing European Championship in Germany. Messi’s 109th goal leads defending champion Argentina over Canada 2-0 and into Copa America final One of the long-forgotten photos from 2007 resurfaced after Yamal’s father posted it on Instagram last week with the text “the beginning of two legends.” Monfort, 56, who works as a freelance photographer for The Associated Press and others, said the photo shoot took place in the visitors’ locker room at Barcelona’s Camp Nou in the autumn of 2007, when Yamal was just a few months old. Barcelona players posed with children and their families for a calendar as part of an annual charity drive by local newspaper Diario Sport and UNICEF. Monfort was in charge of the photo shoots — and it just so happened that Messi was paired with Yamal’s family. His mother, who is from Equatorial Guinea, is next to Messi and the baby in one of the photos. “We made the calendar with the help of UNICEF. So UNICEF did a raffle in the neighborhood of Roca Fonda in Mataró where Lamine’s family lived. They signed up for the raffle to have their picture taken at the Camp Nou with a Barca player. And they won the raffle,” Monfort said. It wasn’t an easy assignment, he recalled, mainly because Messi wasn’t sure how to interact with baby Lamine, who was in a plastic tub for the shoot. “Messi is a pretty introverted guy, he’s shy,” Monfort said. “He was coming out of the locker room and suddenly he finds himself in another locker room with a plastic tub full of water and a baby in it. It was complicated. He didn’t even know how to hold him at first.” Messi was 20 at the time and already considered a big talent, but it would take a couple of years before he made his mark as the most outstanding player of his generation for Barcelona and Argentina. Sr. Division Football : Mohakhali Ekadosh beat Bangladesh Boys by 1-0 goal Like Messi, Yamal has gone through Barcelona’s renowned La Masia youth academy. Despite his age, he’s been one of Spain’s best players at Euro 2024, where his team will play France in the semifinals on Tuesday. Yamal will turn 17 on Saturday, the day before the final in Berlin. Monfort, 56, had no idea it was Yamal in those photos from 2007 until a friend messaged him as they started trending online. He’s had a long career as a sports photographer since 1991, following Barcelona around the world, but said he’s never experienced this level of excitement around any of his photos. “It’s very exciting to be associated with something that has caused such a sensation,” he said. “To tell you the truth it’s a very nice feeling.”

An expatriate student, drowned after falling into the river while trying to board a launch in Bhairab upazlila of Kishoreganj on Monday (April 22, 2024). The incident happened at the Bhairab Bazar Launch Terminal around 8:30 PM on Monday. The deceased was Al Islam (30), son of Alauddin, director of the Bhairab Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Two CUET students on motorcycle killed by speeding bus in Chattogram Bhairab River Police Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam confirmed the matter. He said, after being informed, a police team reached the spot and rescued Islam with the help of local divers after 40 minutes. He was taken to the Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared him dead. Islam had gone to Germany for studies on a scholarship about a year and a half ago. He came home on vacation a few days before Eid. Family members said Al Islam was going to board a ferry to hang out with his friends by the riverbank. At that time, he slipped and fell into the river. Read more: Body of Navy person recovered 8 hrs after going missing in Muhuri River

Germany and Bangladesh have agreed it is best to end the Russia-Ukraine war and the attack on Gaza. The consensus came when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference 2024 on Saturday (February 17, 2024). "A detailed discussion was held between the Bangladesh Prime Minister and the German Chancellor about ending wars, particularly the Russia-Ukraine war and attack on Gaza," Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said, while briefing media regarding the outcome of the meeting between the two leaders. The meeting between the two leaders was held at Hotel Bayerischer Hof, the conference venue, here, this afternoon. Both the leaders, Bangladesh Premier and the Chancellor of Germany, agreed that none will be benefited through war. At meeting with Zelenskyy PM Hasina calls for ending Russia-Ukraine war Quoting the German Chancellor, Dr Hasan Mahmud said, "The only process of establishing peace is to stop war." The prime minister called upon the German Chancellor to make investment in various sectors of Bangladesh including the IT sector as Germany is advanced in high technology industries.  Mentioning that Bangladesh is establishing 100 economic zones across the country, Sheikh Hasina said,"Germany can invest in Bangladesh." The Prime Minister invited the German Chancellor to visit Bangladesh and he accepted the invitation. Sheikh Hasina recalled the contribution of Germany in rebuilding independent Bangladesh after the Liberation War. The two leaders also discussed exporting more Bangladeshi products to Germany as it is the highest exporting country from Bangladesh to the EU. Bangladesh and India need to increase use of their currencies to boost trade: PM Hasina tells Jaishankar They also talked about sending skilled Bangladeshi manpower to Germany as the country is welcoming skilled labour from around the globe. During the bilateral meeting held after a long time in a very warm environment, Olaf Scholz again congratulated Sheikh Hasina  on her reelection as Bangladesh prime minister for the fifth term and fourth in a row. Earlier in the morning, Germany Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development called on the Bangladesh PM at the Conference venue here. During the meeting, she offered Germany a dedicated place for investment in economic zones being set up across the country. Senior Secretary of Foreign Affairs Masud Bin Momen and Ambassador to Germany Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, were present, among others. Sheikh Hasina arrived in Germany to attend three-day MSC 2024 on February 15 evening.  Read more: PM Hasina meets German Chancellor in Munich, discusses bilateral issues

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left here for Germany on Thursday (February 15, 2024) morning on a three-day official visit to attend the Munich Security Conference. This is her first official tour abroad since being re-elected as the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term in last month's parliamentary polls. The Munich Security Conference is considered the world's leading forum for debating security issues. Read: Govt measures to tame inflation soon: PM tells Parliament  A flight of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11 am carrying the prime minister and her entourage members. During her stay in Munich from February 16-18, Sheikh Hasina will also hold meetings with German chancellor, Ukraine's president, prime ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands on the sidelines of the security conference. Indian external affairs minister will also call on the Bangladesh prime minister.  Read more: Focus on rural dev along with infrastructure: PM Hasina tells ECNEC

France and Germany have agreed to individually widen their bilateral relations with Bangladesh and assured of standing beside the country on its development journey. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said this after holding separate meetings with German Ambassador Achim Tröster and French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy at his office in Segunbagicha on Thursday (January 25, 2024). Read: ‘Lobbyist-backed’ statement on Dr Yunus won’t impact FDI, Hasan Mahmud says The two most important European ambassadors discussed issues related to trade and investment, climate change, security cooperation and cooperation in the aviation and education sector. Responding to a question on Bangabandhu Satellite-2, the foreign minister said this is definitely a priority for the government of Bangladesh and hoped that the discussions with France in this regard will see further progress. On purchasing aircraft from the European aviation giants Airbus, the foreign minister said Bangladesh will buy when the country's economy permits. Asked if the decision to buy the planes was final, Hasan Mahmud said such 'final decisions' on purchase are not taken at the Foreign Ministry. The two ambassadors also handed over congratulatory letters from their respective heads of government. Read: BD, UK vow to deepen ties at FM Hasan’s meet with HC Cooke  Both these countries are major development and trade partners of Bangladesh and the ambassadors discussed widening the relations in the coming days, Hasan Mahmud said. Talking to reporters, French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy said France wants to start a new exchange programme for young teachers and students with Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to attend this year’s Munich Security Conference, the most high-profile annual dialogue on security issues, to be held in Germany next month. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud confirmed PM Hasina’s participation in the global conference while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. He said his ministry is working on the bilateral meetings to be held on the sidelines of the conference.  Read: UNDP administrator congratulates PM Hasina  The Prime Minister last attended the Security Conference in 2019. Though the Prime Minister has received invitations from various countries and international organisations, her first official visit post-election may begin with Germany, a diplomatic source told UNB. Apart from bilateral engagement with the German leaders, she will have meetings with global leaders on the sidelines. The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 will take place from February 16 to 18, 2024, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich. The MSC 2024 will once again offer a unique opportunity for high-level debates on the world’s most pressing security challenges, said the organisers. Additionally, the MSC, founded in the fall of 1963, will celebrate its 60th anniversary up to and during the next main conference. Read: Dhaka, London ties evolving from development-focused to modern partnership: Cameron  The Munich Security Report is published annually before the Security Conference. The report contains exclusive data and graphics on current security policy issues, compiled in cooperation with renowned partner institutions of the MSC. The Munich Security Report serves as a basis for discussion at the conference in Munich. 

In an era marked by financial unpredictability, nations worldwide are increasingly anchoring their economic stability in gold reserves. Even after the gold standard was abandoned in the 1970s, gold's role in bolstering a country's economic health remains significant, according to NDTV. Woman arriving from Dubai arrested with over 8 kg gold at Dhaka airport Top 10 Countries by Gold Reserves 1. United States: Leading the pack, the US boasts 8,1336.46 tonnes of gold 2. Germany: Close on the heels with 3,352.65 tonnes 3. Italy: Securing third place with 2,451.84 tonnes. 4. France: Holding the fourth position with 2,436.88 tonnes. 5. Russia: Completing the top five with 2,332.74 tonnes, as reported by Forbes. Notably, China, an emerging economic powerhouse, ranks sixth with 2,191.53 tonnes, highlighting the shift in global economic dynamics. Switzerland, Japan, India, and the Netherlands round out the top 10, each maintaining significant reserves between 1,040 to 612.45 tonnes of gold. Gold worth Tk 7-cr seized at Airport; 4 held Why Do Countries Stockpile Gold? Gold's primary appeal lies in its ability to act as a dependable value store, ensuring economic stability during tumultuous times. Despite moving away from the gold standard, many countries view substantial gold reserves as crucial for currency stability. Diversification of assets is another compelling reason. Gold serves as a physical, tangible asset, offering a buffer against other asset value fluctuations. Its inverse relationship with the US dollar enhances its appeal, especially as a hedge in volatile markets. 4.5kg gold recovered from Biman flight at Ctg airport Gold also plays a vital role in international trade and finance. Some nations use it to balance trade deficits or as collateral for loans, thereby boosting their global economic standing. In crises, gold emerges as a safeguard against economic downturns and geopolitical tensions, protecting economies from inflation and currency devaluation. As central banks reaffirm the importance of gold, these gleaming assets continue to shape the economic futures of countries worldwide, the report concludes. Where was the CCTV camera? Investigators wonder about missing gold at Dhaka Airport customs

German lawmakers on Friday (January 19, 2024) approved legislation easing the rules on gaining citizenship and ending restrictions on holding dual citizenship. The government argues the plan will bolster the integration of immigrants and help attract skilled workers. Parliament voted 382-234 for the plan put forward by center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s socially liberal coalition, with 23 lawmakers abstaining. The main center-right opposition bloc criticized the project vehemently, arguing that it would cheapen German citizenship. The legislation will make people eligible for citizenship after five years in Germany, or three in case of “special integration accomplishments,” rather than eight or six years at present. German-born children would automatically become citizens if one parent has been a legal resident for five years, down from eight years now. Restrictions on holding dual citizenship will also be dropped. In principle, most people from countries other than European Union members and Switzerland now have to give up their previous nationality when they gain German citizenship, though there are some exemptions. Germany, France, Denmark, Netherlands, UK, Canada file joint declaration of intervention in case against Myanmar at International Court of Justice The government says that 14% of the population — more than 12 million of the country’s 84.4 million inhabitants — doesn’t have German citizenship and that about 5.3 million of those have lived in Germany for at least a decade. It says that the naturalization rate in Germany is well below the EU average. In 2022, about 168,500 people were granted German citizenship. That was the highest figure since 2002, boosted by a large increase in the number of Syrian citizens who had arrived in the past decade being naturalized, but still only a fraction of long-term residents. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said the reform puts Germany in line with European neighbors such as France and pointed to its need to attract more skilled workers. “We also must make qualified people from around the world an offer like the U.S., like Canada, of which acquiring German citizenship is a part,” she told reporters ahead of the vote. The legislation stipulates that people being naturalized must be able to support themselves and their relatives, though there are exemptions for people who came to West Germany as “guest workers” up to 1974 and for those who came to communist East Germany to work. The existing law requires that would-be citizens be committed to the “free democratic fundamental order,” and the new version specifies that antisemitic and racist acts are incompatible with that. Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina Scholz said in a video message that, at a time of mounting concern over the far right’s intentions toward immigrants, “we are telling all those who often have lived and worked for decades in Germany, who keep to our laws: You belong in Germany.” The reform means that no one will have to “deny his roots,” he added. The conservative opposition asserted that Germany is loosening citizenship requirements just as other countries are tightening theirs. “This isn’t a citizenship modernization bill — it is a citizenship devaluation bill,” center-right Christian Democrat Alexander Throm told lawmakers. People who have been in Germany for five or three years haven’t yet grown roots in the country, he said. And he argued that dropping restrictions on dual citizenship will “bring political conflicts from abroad into our politics.” The citizenship law overhaul is one of a series of social reforms that Scholz’s three-party coalition agreed to carry out when it took office in late 2021. Those also include plans to liberalize rules on the possession and sale of cannabis, and make it easier for transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to change their gender and name in official registers. Both still need parliamentary approval. In recent months, the government — which has become deeply unpopular as a result of persistent infighting, economic weakness and most recently a home-made budget crisis that resulted in spending and subsidy cuts — also has sought to defuse migration by asylum-seekers as a political problem. The citizenship reform was passed the day after lawmakers approved legislation that is intended to ease deportations of unsuccessful asylum-seekers. Germany's CO2 emissions are at their lowest in 7 decades, study shows

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said Bangladesh would be the 9th largest consumer market by 2030 with the government working with the goal of overtaking many established markets in the world. “We’ve been working with a goal so Bangladesh could surpass established markets like the UK and Germany, and the current high-growth countries Vietnam and Thailand at that time. We’ve this effort,” she said. The premier said this while inaugurating the 60 years’ celebration and Investment Expo, 2023 of Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city. “There are some 17 crore people in our Bangladesh. Besides, we’ve strengthened connectivity with our neighbouring countries. We think Bangladesh would become the world’s 9th largest consumer market by 2030,” she said. Noting that Bangladesh has a large population, she said the government is developing them as skilled manpower for its better utilization. Read: Bangladesh to become world’s 9th largest market by 2030 overtaking UK, Germany: PM Hasina  The PM said the number of growing middle class and rich people will be 3.40 crore by 2025 in Bangladesh and the estimated GDP per capita will be 5,880 US$ by 2040. “Due to its strategic geographical location, Bangladesh can be the hub of the regional market of 3 billion people,” she said adding that her government has taken steps to strengthen the connectivity with this region. Hasina said her government has successfully been able to bring a significant change in Bangladesh after assuming office in 2009. “Bangladesh has become one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the last 15 years,” she said. Noting that Bangladesh is now considered as the 35th largest economy in the world, she said they have raised the GDP growth rate to 7.25 percent now due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals and trade consolidation. The PM, however, said the growth rate was even higher during the pre-Covid period as the government raised it to 8:10pc before the pandemic. Read: Only votes can change govt: PM Hasina The government has successfully increased per capita income to US$2,793 from only US$ 543 and raised the GDP size to Tk 50.31 lakh crore now from Tk 4 lakh crore in 2006, she said. During this period, they brought down the poverty rate to 18.7 percent from 41.1 percent, while extreme poverty rate to 5.6 percent from over 25pc, she said adding that her government has given the most importance to the development of the rural economy. In the last 15 years, the Awami League government took multifaceted measures for the development of the business sector of the country. So, the private sector has become stronger and more developed. Bangladesh is currently the second largest garment exporter in the world, she said. “Bangladesh is expected to be the 20th largest economy in the world by 2037,” said Sheikh Hasina, adding that the country will be transformed into a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh by 2041. Mentioning that the government is setting up some 100 economic zones and established 39 hi-tech parks throughout the country, she said those economic zones and parks are kept open for foreign investment. If any country can want land singly, seek land under joint venture or public private partnership (PPP), the government would allow them and provide them with lands, she said. Read: PM Hasina collects nomination form for national election  The premier said one stop service has been introduced in investment development agencies to facilitate investment. “We have undertaken plans to make all offices providing investment services fully online and digitized,” she said. In Bangladesh, there is a scope to develop USD 350-billion infrastructures in the energy, water, logistics and transport sectors. “By 2025, the logistics sector alone is expected to become a US$90 billion market,” she said. The prime minister said they want to raise private investment to 31.43 percent of GDP by 2031.She said Bangladesh has become an attractive destination to many countries around the world for investment, industrialisation and export due to various reasons including its economic growth, structural development programmes, investment-friendly policy, large domestic market, strategic location, high profitability and large workforce. Talking about the FICCI’s celebration, she said the chamber has stepped into 60 years this year since the inception of its journey in 1936. As a leading chamber, FICCI represents investors from 35 countries in more than 21 sectors of Bangladesh. “FICCI represents 90 percent of the country's inward FDI, which carries special importance to the overall development of our country,” she said. The premier extended sincere thanks to all former and current members of FICCI on the occasion of the celebration of its 60 years. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, among others, spoke at the function, while FICCI President and CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Naser Ezaz Bijoy delivered the welcome speech. The premier also unveiled a research book titled ‘Catalyzing Greater FDI for Vision 2041’, which was published by FICCI.