Global Indian International School :: Newsletter
| Newsletter Vol. 349 |
| IFC announces investment for GIIS expansion in emerging markets |
| |
|
| |
In a strong nod for a Singapore-based educational institution, International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank group, has invested SGD25 million to enable GIIS expand its network of schools, allowing more students in the region to benefit from its proven academic systems. The investment will also increase access to affordable, high quality primary and secondary education in Asia.
Speaking to members of international media in Singapore at the signing ceremony for IFC funding held on July 9, GSF Chairman and Co-founder, Mr Atul Temurnikar said, “We are benchmarking ourselves against some of the best schools in the world, including in Singapore and we are glad that so far we have done extremely well and continue to do so. IFC is going to be very helpful in providing the growth capital needed for expansion in India as well as in Vietnam and Indonesia. IFC’s long-term loan will allow us to accelerate our expansion plans and reach more students throughout the region. As we enter new countries, we also expect to benefit from IFC’s deep industry knowledge and on-the-ground expertise in local markets.”
“IFC has an office in Singapore for about an year now and this is our first investment in a Singapore based provider and also the first investment since the office opened so it s quite a landmark from our perspective,” said IFC Director for Manufacturing, Agribusiness, and Services in Asia, Mr Vipul Prakash. “GIIS as you learned from Atul’s remarks is a high quality institution but at the same time an institution that provides a very affordable education for what it does. For us at IFC, the footprint is very important. It’s a Singapore-based education provider but which is then exporting its knowledge and standards to emerging markets like India, Vietnam and Indonesia. We support the growth of GIIS as it expands its academic expertise and operational know-how to developing countries. Global Indian International Schools’ ability to implement high standards of educational delivery helps drive innovation in the private primary and secondary education sector. And most importantly, it fulfills the growing need for quality education in emerging markets. We look forward to working more with GIIS over the years.”
Also present at the event were Mr Kaustubh Bodhankar, Deputy CEO, GSF, Mr Rajiv Vasudeva, Country Director (Singapore), GIIS and team members from GIIS as well as IFC.
On the occasion of the signing ceremony held at Singapore, GIIS in India marked the event with a press conference on the same day in New Delhi. Media teams interacted with a board of panellists - Mr Chandrakant Borde, Vice President, GSF, Mr Subodh Gore, Trustee, GSF, Mr Harish Doraiswamy, Deputy CEO & Chief Operating Officer, GSF, Mr Rajeev Katyal, Country Director, GIIS, India and Ms Meenakshi Seth of IFC.
The news of the signing has been covered by regional media in Singapore, India as well as other countries.
Excerpts of media coverage:
» The Straits Times, Singapore, July 10, 2012
» The Business Times, July 10, 2012
» The Times of India, July 10, 2012 |
| |
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. It helps developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, providing advisory services to businesses and governments, and mobilising capital in the international financial markets. In fiscal 2011, amid economic uncertainty across the globe, it helped its clients create jobs, strengthen environmental performance, and contribute to their local communities - all while driving its investments to an all-time high of nearly USD19 billion. |
|
| |
Video link of GIIS signing ceremony for IFC funding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=074vB-Csujc&feature=youtu.be |
| |
| GIIS Queenstown |
GIIS East Coast |
GIIS Balestier |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|