Supporting UK education suppliers in Saudi Arabia
Foreign Office Minister responsible for the Middle East Alistair Burt met the Saudi Education Minister, His Highness Prince Faisal bin Abdullah and Vice Minister, Dr Khaled Al Sabti today.
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt reaffirmed the UK鈥檚 interest in stepping up bilateral engagement with Saudi Arabia, in line with the Government鈥檚 Gulf Initiative. Prince Faisal welcomed UK participation in King Abdullah鈥檚 ambitious 鈥淭atweer鈥� Programme for the Development of Public Education, which aims to upgrade educational standards in the Kingdom through public/private partnerships.
Foreign Minister Alistair Burt expected UK education suppliers to work in close partnership with the Ministry to help realise King Abdullah鈥檚 vision, building on the British Council鈥檚 current involvement. He looked forward to visiting the Kingdom shortly, and passed on his best wishes for the health of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Prince Faisal is visiting the UK for the Education World Forum 2011 in London. His other appointments included a call on HRH The Duke of York, and meetings with Nick Gibb MP, Minister of State for Schools and Martin Davidson, CEO of the British Council.