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Expressions of interest invited from international schools for new sites
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    The Education Bureau today (March 19) invited expressions of interest for allocation of greenfield sites and vacant or to-be-vacated school premises for international school expansion and development. 

    In his 2007-08 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that the Administration would make available a number of greenfield sites to expand the international school sector. The bureau has identified a number of sites for that purpose. Taking into account the interest among some existing international schools for quick expansion, the bureau has also identified a number of vacant or to-be-vacated school premises for allocation. The expression of interest exercise is open to all existing international schools in Hong Kong and other interested parties.

    A spokesman for the bureau said, "Four greenfield sites in Kowloon and the New Territories have been earmarked for the purpose. Subject to responses received in the expressions of interest exercise, we will proceed to the next stage and invite detailed proposals."

    "One of the four sites could accommodate the development of hostel facilities. Subject to the responses received, we will look into the feasibility of the Government supporting the development of hostel facilities on a trial basis, with a view to attracting overseas students and fortifying our status as a regional education hub."

    "The Education Bureau has also identified five vacant/to-be-vacated school premises which may be considered for international school use. These are situated on Hong Kong Island and in the New Territories," the spokesman said.

    Details of the sites and premises are at Annex A(i) and Annex A(ii) respectively.

    "The exercise is the first step for us to gauge market response. Taking into account the responses received, we will finalise the list of sites and premises to be made available, work out detailed allocation criteria and invite eligible interested parties who have responded to the expressions of interest to submit detailed school proposals for the coming School Allocation Exercises. Details will be announced in due course," the spokesman said.

    "The Government supports the development of a vibrant international school sector to underpin our aspiration to be a global metropolis and strengthen our status as a regional education hub. We believe that the allocation of greenfield sites and vacant school premises can help meet the community's demand for expansion in the international school sector."

    The international schools operating from the greenfield sites and the vacant premises covered in this exercise should be non-profit-making and run on a self-financing basis. In accordance with existing policy on assistance for international schools, interest-free capital loans for school building on the greenfield sites will be considered upon application. Successful bidders of the vacant/to-be-vacated premises will normally enjoy nominal rent treatment. Details of the possible government financial assistance and the eligibility requirements for the expressions of interest are at Annex B.

    Reply forms for the expressions of interest can be downloaded from the bureau homepage (www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=246&langno=1). Interested parties are required to express interest by submitting the reply forms to the Infrastructure and Research Support Division, Room 1427, 14/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, or fax: (852) 2119 9107) by April 30.

Ends/Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 19:07

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