'File 10/4 I Trade Reports' [‎406r] (826/1102)

Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the year
ending 31st March 1930.
Introduction.
The independent Arab Principality of Bahrain
consists of a group of islands off the East Coast of
Arabia. The State is under British protection but
is not a protectorate.
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 the trade amounted to £2,818,257
as compared with £3,110,341 in 1928-29, showing a
decrease of £292,084 or 9*4 per cent.
The total value of Imports amounted to £1,930,692
as against £2,116,616 in 1928-29, showing a decrease
of £185,924 or 8*8 per cent. The decrease is chiefly
due to the rebellion in Nejd and to the commence
ment of the slump in the Pearl trade.
It will be seen that Cotton goods valued at
£185,734 are shown as imported ftom India. This
is misleading as the bulk of the cargo imported from
the United Kingdom arrives via India and conse
quently appears under this heading, and also a large
quantity of Japanese piecegoods.
Pearl Industry,
A general description of this Industry is given in
this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Trade Report for the year 1927-28.
Exports.
The total value of Exports during th6 year
amounted to £887,565 as against £993,725 in 1928-29
showing a decrease of £106,160 or 10'7 per cent.
The following Table shows the movements of
general merchandize as compared with Pearls and
Specie :—
Imports.
Year.
Specie.
Pearls.
Total
of
Pearls
and
Specie.
General
Merchan
dize.
Total
Import.
£
£
£
£
£
1928-29
38^,411
27,438
410,849
1,705,767
2,116,616
1929-30
^74,029
11,843
585,872
1,344,820
1,930,692
Percentage of
increase or de-
erease.
+ 671
—56-8
+ 42-6
—21-2
r~8-8
Exports.
Year.
Specie.
Pearls.
Total
of
Pearls
and
Specie.
General
Merchan'
dize.
Total
Import.
£
£
£
£
£
1928-29
175,685
134,392
310,077
683,648
998,723
1929-30
193,922
141,278
335,200
552,365
887,565
Percentage of
increase or de
crease.
+ 10-4
+5-1
4-8*1
—19-2
—-10*7
Since many Pearls leaving Bahrain 5 are not de
clared at all and very few declared at their correct
value, it is impossible to give exact figures for their
Export, but the amount is variously estimated bet
ween one-and-a-half and two million Pounds.
Customs.
The Tariff is fixed by Treaty at 5 per cent, ad
valorem on all imports. In June 1920 on the ad
vice of the Government of India the tax on goods
landed at Bahrain 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 a European Director
of Customs under the orders of the Ruler of Bahrain.
Agriculture.
On its northern shores Bahrain is blessed with an
abundant water supply from springs and more
recently from artesian wells. An Agricultural ex
pert has been engaged and it is hoped that with
increasing knowledge better use will be made of the
wide area of fertile soil available. As recently as
150 years ago Bahrain was famous for its cotton
which was exported as far afield as Baghdad, and
there is no reason why these days should not return.
So far no market for fertilisers or agricultural instru
ments can be said to exist, and animal manures
only are employed.
Banks.
A branch of the Eastern Bank exists at Bahrain
and transacts all classes of business, and the hundi
system is also used by the Hindu merchants.
This bank is also the State Bank of the Bahrain
Government.