The Malta Employers Association (MEA) today joined the ever-growing list of entities calling on the government to refrain from using virgin land in Zonqor to develop the so-called American University of Malta. It said that educational institutions attracted to Malta should use sites that are already developed or which are dilapidated.

In a statement the MEA said that, while it is in favour of developing Malta's potential to attract investment in education, something that it had formally proposed to the political parties in its memorandum before the last elections, this should be done in a manner that respects the country's natural environment

The Association said that, in principle it is against any development outside ODZ areas. “There should be a concerted effort to attract quality educational institutions in sites that are already developed or
dilapidated, of which there are many in Malta. It has called on the MCESD to place this item on the
agenda for discussion consultation with the social partners.