A Government committee, chaired by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and comprising key members including the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), is inviting proposals under Request-for-Interest (RFI) to set up foreign system schools (FSS). The proposals will be assessed based on a matrix of factors including quality of project, ability to meet market demand, investment commitments as well as the commitment to commence classes in academic year 2009.

2. Singapore’s strong economic growth over the years has attracted an influx of foreign talent relocating here. In recognition of the increasing demand for FSS in Singapore, there is keen interest among both existing FSS and new players to expand and set up new operations in Singapore respectively. The RFI is therefore a key whole-of-Government initiative in response to the development in the FSS sector.

3. SLA has been working with EDB and other Government agencies to offer sites for education-related uses to cater to the growing demand. To date, 19 international schools are using State properties as campuses. Some examples include the Canadian International School, United World College of South East Asia, International Community School, and Avondale Grammar School.

4. A total of 7 State buildings and land parcels, namely, 4 “Brownfield” (existing vacant school buildings) and 3 “Greenfield” (existing vacant land) sites, have been identified for use as FSS. The sites were selected based on locality, convenience, availability, space and ease of adaptability. With the exception of 279 Upper Serangoon Rd, the other “Brownfield” sites will be let out via tenancy with an initial term of 3 years, with an option to renew for another two terms of three years (i.e., 3+3+3). The “Greenfield” sites have a lease period of 30 years. More details of these sites can be found at Annex A.

5. Interested foreign system schools are invited to submit proposals for specific sites with each school allowed to submit proposals for more than one site.

6. This is a Request-for-Interest exercise, and does not constitute an offer of the “Brownfield” /”Greenfield” sites listed. The Singapore Government reserves the right to decide whether to proceed with awarding the “Brownfield” / “Greenfield” sites at the end of the exercise, and to vary the specifications of the sites at its discretion.

7. Mr. Teo Cher Hian, Director of SLA’s Land Operations (Private) Division, said: “SLA recognises that FSS are an important infrastructure to attract global talents to live and work in Singapore. Adapting former vacant schools for use as FSS not only optimises land resources, it also provides immediate solutions to cater to the growing demand since they are purpose-built with playfields and other ancillary facilities.”

8. “The EDB is committed to meet the growing market demand for FSS and with this RFI, we believe that we will attract quality institutions who will contribute to a diverse mix of education services in Singapore,” said Mr. Toh Wee Khiang, Director of Education and Professional Services, Economic Development Board. “This RFI will not be a one-off exercise for us and we will continue to strengthen our competitive advantages as a global education hub by attracting more FSS to Singapore in line with market demand.”

9. Information packages with details of the 7 Properties can be collected from the EDB counter during office hours from 20 August 2008. More information for submission of proposals is found on the EDB website (http://www.sedb.com/). All proposals should be submitted, together with the submission form to the following address by hand or by post no later than 19 September 2008 at 5pm sharp:

Economic Development Board
250 North Bridge Road
Raffles City Tower, Level 18
Singapore 179101
(Attn: Ms. Geraldine Goh)

10. Only shortlisted FSS(s) will be notified in the week of 22 September 2008 to attend interviews by the Committee. Selected FSS(s) will be notified in early October 2008. A closed-door briefing will be held for all FSS operators who are keen to learn more about this initiative and who may wish to participate. Details of the briefing are as follow:

Date :	22 August 2008
Time :	9.30 a.m.
Venue :	Possibility Room Level 5 National Library Board 100 Victoria Street Singapore 188064

11. SLA will conduct site show-rounds to the four “Brownfield” sites for interested parties. Please refer to http://www.sedb.com/ for more details. The “Brownfield” sites are also opened for FSS’ viewing on their own from 25 – 29 August, 2009, 9am to 6pm.

12. For RFI enquires, please contact the following:
Ms. Geraldine Goh at (65) 6832 6049 or geraldine_goh@edb.gov.sg

– The End –

Annex A: Details of the sites

Option	Property(s)	Tenure / Lease Period	Estimated Gross Floor Area (sqm)	Estimated Land Area (sqm)
1	Property #1: Former Upper Serangoon Secondary School (279 Upper Serangoon Road) -- Brownfield Site	30 years (Permanent Use)	n.a.	3.5ha (approx)
2 (a) or (b)	Property #2: Former Nan Chiau High School (46 Kim Yan Road) -- Brownfield Site and	3+3+3 years (Interim Use)	16,763	13,805.7
2 (a) or (b)	Property #3: “Lots 2598X-PT, 2958W-PT and 2597-PT MK 19 at Yishun, Yishun Ave 1” -- Greenfield Site	30 years (Permanent Use)	n.a.	3.5ha (approx) or 5ha (approx)
3 (a) or (b)	Property #4: Former Fuchun Pirmary School (29 Woodlands Centre Road) -- Brownfield Site *and*	3+3+3 years (Interim Use)	9,222.8	10,895.2
3 (a) or (b)	Property #5: “Lots 6160V-PT, 99493M-PT, 98045P-PT, 98044V-PT, 98043W-PT, 98016A-PT, 2230X-PT, 98037L-PT and 98017K-PT MK 23 at Hougang, Hougang Ave 1” -- Greenfield Site	30 years (Permanent Use)	n.a.	5ha (approx) or 7.5ha (approx)
4 (a) or (b)	Property #6: Former Jurong Town Primary School (3 Hu Ching Road) -- Brownfield Site and	3+3+3 years (Interim Use)	3,915.6	11,460.9
4 (a) or (b)	Property #7: “Lots 4293C-PT and 3810W-PT MK 10 at Bukit Batok, Bukit Batok Road” -- Greenfield Site	30 years (Permanent Use)	n.a.	3.5ha (approx) or 5ha (approx)

Note:
1. Properties #2, #4, #6 are only available on an interim basis for 3+3+3 years. The schools should be prepared to relocate to the purpose-built campuses on properties #3, #5 and #7 within the 9 years tenancy period.

2. The areas and boundaries as shown for Properties #1, #3, #5 and #7 are approximate. The exact boundaries are subject to further refinement by the land authorities prior to any official offer of sites.

3. Schools interested in taking part in this RFI can collect Information Packs containing more details on the 7 Properties from the EDB Counter.

Address:	250 North Bridge Road Raffles City Tower Level 18 Singapore 179101
Period of collection:	20 August 2008 – 19 September 2008
Office hours:	9am – 5pm, Mondays to Fridays

Each interested party is entitled to one copy only.

About the Singapore Economic Development Board

The Economic Development Board (EDB) is the lead government agency responsible for planning and executing economic strategies to enhance Singapore’s position as a global hub for business and investment. We are the one-stop agency that facilitates and supports local and foreign investors in both the manufacturing and services sectors as they seek more value-creating operations, higher sustainable returns and new business opportunities.

Singapore commands global leadership positions in many areas. EDB is expanding and extending existing industry clusters, as well as exploring new growth areas to create good jobs and secure Singapore’s future competitiveness. Our emphasis is on capital-intensive, knowledge-intensive and innovation-intensive activities. EDB is constantly identifying new business areas to develop both in terms of new technologies as well as new consumer demands, such as our 'clean and green' focus - environmental technologies, urban solutions and clean energy, lifestyle, healthcare and wellness. EDB is also expanding our geographical reach, such as Middle East, in addition to North America, Europe, Japan, China, India and ASEAN.

For more information on how EDB can help in your business and investment, please visit http://www.sedb.com/.

About SLA

Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is a statutory board with the Ministry of Law. Its mission is to optimise land resources for the economic and social development of Singapore. SLA is responsible for the direct management of some 14,000 hectares of State land and about 5,000 buildings. It is also in charge of land sales, leases, acquisitions and allocation, developing and marketing land-related information, and maintaining the national land information database through digitised land information services. SLA is also the national land registration authority for property transactions, and the issuance and guarantee of land titles in Singapore. It also manages and maintains the national land survey systems, including the defining of boundaries or legal limits of properties based on a coordinated cadastre survey systems. Please visit www.sla.gov.sg for more information.