1
Gift Scheme allocation, which on present rules could be up to £20,000 of the total.
1.
Since most courses in the UK start in September, there is very little time to get a sensible training programme under way: however, the allocation would allow for only a handful of trainees at a typical unit cost of about £10,000. It would be sensible to lay down at the outset some fairly narrow guidelines on the areas for training. Highest priority might go to training in economic management, linked to Vietnam's liberalisation
programme, and to a limited number of awards in teaching English as a foreign language for staff from institutions with potential for a multiplier effect on English Language Teaching at a later stage (we have seen ELT as a natural area to move into if we
develop a longer term technical assistance programme).
8.
It would be necessary for details of suitable courses to be sent to the Embassy, for the Embassy to discuss possibilities with the relevant Vietnamese authorities, and for the necessary forms (which are standard) to be forwarded by the Embassy to the British Council. It will also be essential to ensure that trainees have a sufficient knowledge of English, which will probably limit the field severely. It may be useful to arrange for a British Council staff member to visit Hanoi from Bangkok to assist the Embassy in its task.
9. ODA, in collaboration with the British Council, will put in
hand the necessary spadework on this item so that we are ready to move if the Vietnamese respond favourably.
A More Forthcoming Attitude in the International Financial
Institutions
10. The key here is the future of discussions between the IMF
and the Government of Vietnam about settlement of arrears and an
adjustment programme. A good deal of preparatory work has been
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