Published: 12:04 AM, 27 October 2026 Last Update: 12:20 AM, 27 October 2026
Valletta Mayor Olaf McKay and Malta’s Consul Shoeb Chowdhury Hold Strategic Bilateral Talks
Shoeb Chowdhury, Honorary Consul of Malta to Bangladesh, had a meeting with Olaf McKay, Mayor of Maltese capital city Valletta on Monday. -AA
The Mayor of Valletta, Olaf McKay, held a high-level bilateral meeting with Honorary Consul of Malta in Bangladesh, Shoeb Chowdhury, in the Maltese capital to discuss expanding diplomatic ties, cultural preservation and digital innovation on Monday (26 October 2026).
Held amidst the historic city of Valletta, the discussions focused on deepening bilateral relations, safeguarding heritage, and leveraging advanced technologies to promote both nations on the global stage.
During the session, Mayor McKay highlighted Valletta’s legacy as a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1980 and outlined how the city continues to preserve its 7,500-year history while advancing as a modern and oldest European capital. He shared the municipal council's strategic plans to broaden Valletta’s global cultural presence.
Addressing the assembly, Shoeb Chowdhury emphasized the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and state-of-the-art digital ecosystems in international tourism and heritage diplomacy. He proposed integrating virtual technology and AI models to offer global travelers immersive access to Valletta's cultural landmarks.
"By harnessing modern technology and artificial intelligence, we can impart dynamic momentum to the diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations between Malta and Bangladesh," Dr. Chowdhury noted.
During the exchange, Shoeb Chowdhury extended an official invitation on behalf of diplomatic and civic circles to Mayor McKay to visit Dhaka, Bangladesh. Mayor McKay accepted the invitation, expressing his intent to undertake the visit at an opportune time.
The delegation also included Gabriella Agius, Executive Secretary of the Valletta Local Council and Dr. Jesmin Chowdhury, Editor-in-Chief of The Asian Age.
The engagement concluded with Mayor McKay presenting an official commemorative crest of Valletta to Dr. Shoeb Chowdhury, followed by a formal photo session.
>>Bernard Priyam, AA
