In confidence
The Middle East and North Africa
(Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran*, Iraq, Israel (and East Jerusalem), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon*, Libya*, Morocco, Oman, People's Democratic Republic of the Yemen*, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria*, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen Arab Republic)
7.37 The teaching of English is an important component of work throughout the area which, in many ways, is a difficult one for mainstream Council activity. There is limited opportunity in much of the Arab world for arts work, for example one of the Council's traditional routes to the successor generation; segregation and cultural and religious differences pose special problems. In the Middle East in particular, however, where political factors can be volatile, the Council frequently represents western values through co- operation in the key area of education. The principal strategic focus is on information work and exchanges initiatives, mainly grant-funded, which will direct fee-paying students towards British education and generate a preference for British expertise. Project work for the ODA and ILAS is significant in the developing countries.
7.38 With the aim of increasing Britain's share of the overseas student market and of stimulating pro-western attitudes and markets for British goods, methods and services, the Council's principal objectives are:
• to increase the number of students from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf in higher education in Britain by 30% within the triennium
• to take all revenue-earning businesses into net surplus
• to retain and enlarge the Council's share of ODA and ILA business
• to increase awareness of aspects of British culture that have most to offer to the Middle East.
7.39 Egypt's importance in the Middle East and its influential role in the Arab world give it regional priority, followed by Saudi Arabia. Particular focus will be placed on the Maghreb during the planning period, where French influence is declining and opportunity increasing to demonstrate Britain's capabilities in training and to promote specialist work in English in higher education. Resource increases in the area in 1989/90 totalled almost £0.5 million and funded new programmes outlined in CP2. Achievements on which to build in the triennium include:
• £0.05 million matched by £0.04 million from the Algerian government to fund postgraduate scholarships in Britain
• 90% matching exchanges funding from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Gulf, doubling the
Financial forecast for Middle East and North Africa
All figures in £ million
Income
ODA agency
FCO agency
Other agency
Revenue
Government grants
Total
1990/91
1991/92
1992/93
1993/94
6
6
6
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
10
11
11
11
12
11
11
11
32
32
32
33
7 2
Expenditure
Staff and running costs
Middle East and North Africa
11
11
11
11
Staff and running costs UK
7
7
7
8
British Council programmes
4
4
4
4
Agency (rounded)
Total
10
10
10
10
32
32
32
33
Table 5
17