Susan Gordon, Business Reporter

The American International School of Kingston (AISK) has advanced plans to establish what chairman Peter Melhado says will be the first e-school in the Caribbean.

Melhado is selling the school as a hook for investment, saying foreign investors would feel more secure about relocating knowing their children will have access to an education system with which they are familiar.

"From a macro-economics standpoint, where Jamaica is competitive, it is critical to have an American International School to attract foreign investment," said Melhado.

"School and housing are the most important thing to people who are coming here, especially since many of them are taught from an American-based curriculum," he told Wednesday Business.

AISK is investing US$4.5 million ($303 million) in its e-school, which it will model off a similar facility in Arizona, Melhado told Wednesday Business. Financing is being sought from a U.S.-based lending agency.

The facility is to be on the 49 acres of land behind Jamaica College for which AISK is finalising a lease agreement with the all-boys high school.