Saudi Arabia’s Tatweer Building Company (TBC) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for transaction advisors to develop a schools public private partnership (PPP) scheme.

The deadline is 26 September.

The RFP does not specify the number of schools to be developed. The work will include advising TBC on how best to structure education PPPs and involve the private sector in education.

TBC is responsible for managing and tendering Ministry of Education (MoE) facilities including school buildings, educational facilities and administration buildings. It supervises construction and operates, and maintains the buildings.

This is one of the first PPP advisory tenders to appear following the new strategy laid out in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, and five-year National Transformation Plan. The strategy envisages a much larger role for the private sector, as public spending falls due to lower oil revenues.

PPP projects are also expected in the health, housing, transport and water sectors. Bahrain’s Gulf International Bank is already working on the privatisation of four airports, including Taif near Mecca.

MEED reported earlier in September that Jeddah 4 desalination plant would be retendered as an independent water project. The Saudi Electricity Company is also considering switching two upcoming power plants to independent power projects.