The government completely ignored the criticism levelled by the Opposition Leader on the AUM project in Cottonera, preferring instead to focus on its successes in foreign direct investment.

PN leader Adrian Delia on Wednesday focussed most of his speech at a political activity on what he described as a “phantom university”, saying PM Joseph Muscat had promised a huge investment that would attract thousands of students, but this has not materialised.

But the AUM was not mentioned in the government’s reply on Thursday afternoon, saying it is ironic that Delia lashes out at foreign direct investment when the numbers show that so much success has been achieved in this respect since 2013.

During the PN’s last term in government, economic growth was halved when compared to the previous years. Under Labour, the economy grew by 57%, and this came about as a result of economic vision and careful planning to strengthen existing sectors while introducing others.

The government prepared a better climate for foreign investors and they are replying by investing more in the country, the statement said.

Since the change of government in 2013, FDI increased by €51 billion, or 40.6%. Malta Enterprise approved 660 projects which will mean a €1 billion investment to generate 11,359 jobs.

The government said it is “puerile rhetoric” for Delia to say that investments were not yielding fruit.

But there was no mention at all on the future of the AUM, which has been mired in controversy since it became public and more recently when Labour MP Glenn Bedingfield also expressed reservations on the project.