SINGAPORE - An inter-agency committee led by the Economic Development Board (EDB) will launch a request-for-interest (RFI) exercise next Tuesday, May 5, for international schools to bid for sites with long-term leases of 30 years.

Members of the committee include the Council for Private Education, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Ministry of Education and Singapore Land Authority.

The RFI exercise which was first launched in 2008, has been held three times to help ease a crunch in school places for children of expatriates here. The sites leased out under the exercise are zoned for educational use. A total of 16 sites have been offered under the previous exercises.

Applications will be evaluated based on factors such as the track record of the foreign school, its ability to meet market demand and its financial ability. More details on the criteria and sites will be provided at the closed-door briefing on May 5.

Said Mr Alvin Tan, EDB's assistant managing director: "Availability of quality schools for children of international executives is a key consideration when they decide on a posting location. Foreign system schools play a part in strengthening Singapore's position as an attractive global city and home for business."

"The long tenure of the RFI land sites will encourage schools to invest in the necessary infrastructure and resources to deliver high-quality education options," said Mr Tan, who is also the chair of the inter-agency committee.

Interested parties are invited to register by emailing RFI_2015@edb.gov.sg by 12pm on May 5.