'File 10/4 I Trade Reports' [‎134r] (278/1102)

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on the Trade of the Bahrein Islands for the year
ending 31st March 1926.
Introduction.
A general description of the physical, political
and commercial peculiarities of the Islands is given
in the report for the year 1911-12 (Annual Series
No. 5052). The permanent population is estimated
at 115,000.
Trade.
The total value of trade for the year under report
amounted to £2,776,646 as against £3,143,256
showing a decrease of £36,610 or 11*6 per cent.
The total value of imports amounted to £1,621,869
as compared with £1,818,012 in 1924-25 showing a
decrease of £196,143 or 10*7 per cent. Tlie decrease
^B^as chiefly in cotton piece goods.
Exports.
The total value of exports for the year amounted
to £1,154,777 as against £1,325,244 showing a decrease
of £170,467 or 12*8 per cent.
The pearl trade dominated the commercial situa
tion, the following table shows the movements of
general merchandise as compared with pearls and
species.
Imports.
Year.
Specie.
Pearl.
Total of
pearl and
specie.
General
Mer
chandise.
Total
imports.
£
£
£
£
£
1924-25
■343,909
33,164
377,073
1,440,939
1,818,012
1925-26
169,791
23,674
193,465
1,428,404
1,621,869
Percentage
increase
decrease.
of
or
—50-6
-22-5
—43-3
-»—8
—10*7
Exports.
Year.
Specie.
Pearl.
Total of
pearl and
specie.
General
Mer
chandise.
Total
exports.
£
£
£
£
£
1924-25
431,206
219,570
650,776
674,468
1,325,244
1925-26
-270,829
191,504
462,333
692,444
1,154,777
Percentage
increase
decrease.
of
or
—-37*1
—12-7
—28-9
+2-6
—12-8
Customs.
The tariff is fixed by treaty at 5 per cent ad-valorem
on all imports. By an order of the Government of
India in June 1920 the tax on goods landed at
Bahrein in transit for the mainland was reduced to
2 per cent from 5 per cent at which it formerly
stood. Export duty of Rs. 10 per bundle of hides
and Rs. 2 per basket of dates is charged. The
customs work is carried on by an Europeon Director
of Customs under the orders of the Ruler of Bahrein.
Enquiries regarding Trade.
The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrein who is in close
touch with the local and mainland affairs, will be
glad to answer any enquiries regarding trade from
merchants in the United Kingdom through the
Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of
Trade. Enquiries from India should be made
through the Director General of Commercial Intelli
gence at Calcutta. Time would probably be saved
by addressing the latter official direct, as information
on most ordinary matters is available in his records.
Shipping.
There is a regular weekly mail service from India
and bi-weekly to India. As already reported in the
previous years, report owing to the abolition of
British Post Office at Bushire, the practice of sending
mails to India by up-steamers via Bushire has
ceased. Thus the number of mails to India has
been reduced from 6 to 2. This somewhat adversely
affects the commercial community.
General Remarks.
Motor roads suitable for light ears exist nearly
all over the Islands. There are about 130 motor
cars of various makes and motor cars are also avail
able on hire. Motor boats now ply regularly between
Bahrein and Qatar on the mainland.
E. 6. ALBAK, Captain,
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrein.
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