'189 Trade Report of Bahrain Islands.' [‎84v] (170/756)

It is quite impossible therefore to give accurate figures for either the export o
pearls or the import of silver.
Effects of War .—The severe restrictions imposed by the Government of
India on the export of silver to Bahrain have hit the pearling fraternity very
hard. The latter have been compelled to draw telegraphic orders (hundies) in
consequence on local merchants for funds, at a loss of from Us. 60 to Rs. IIO 1
per Rs. 1,000 during the season. The merchants who had large stocks of goods*
from the previous year continued to import foodstuffs as much as they possibly
could, their idea being to furnish the pearl merchants with funds, from the
sale-proceeds of these goods. They were successful in this until the embargo
was placed in India on rice, wheat and flour at the end of November 1918.
Opening for British Trade, —The trade of Bahrain Islands is to a great
extent in the hands of Hindu, Indian Muhammadan^ and Persian merchants,
who have had business connections with the Islands for over a century and
half, and far the greater portion of this trade of theirs is with India? The
Mesopotamia Persia Corporation, Limited (late Gray, Paul and Company), the
agent of the British India Steam Navigation Company, Limited, is the only
British firm. %. f >/ {[. j r / t
Customs. —The tariff is fixed by treaty at 5 per cent, ad valorem on all
imports with the exception of original bales of piece-goods which pay a fixed
charge of Rs. 15 per bale. A 5 per cent, tax is also levied on all cargo landed
whose eventual destination is the mainland. Export duty of Rs. 10 per bundle
of hides and Rs. 2 per bundle of dates is charged. The customs work is beim*
carried on for the Ruler of Bahrain by an Indian (Hindu) firm, a member of
which acts as Director. ^
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. , Bahrain and Mainland,
will be very 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 Intelligence at Calcutta. Time would probably be
saved by addressing the latter official direct, as information on most ordinary
subjects is available in his records.
Shipping has continued to be very unsatisfactory and the trade
of the port has suffered proportionately. The regular mail service has been
abandoned. A hired transport wit^mails and Government stores has called
here once a month during the year. Only< 35 vessels entered the port on the
up voyage as compared with the normal No. 86, while 7 vessels called on the
down voyage. Of these only 1 vessel belonged to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Steam
Navigation Company, Limited. Freights varied from £3 to £5 per ton from or
to (Bombay or Karachi) by steamer, and by country craft £1-10-0 to £2-5-0
pel ton.
(1) General remarks on trade. —The pearl trade still dominate the whole
commercial situation, and the movements of pearls and specie, though reacting
on the movements of general merchandise, must be taken by themselves. The
table showing the total import and exports under these heads for the year
1918-19 and the previous year are of interest.
IMPORTS.
♦
Tear
Specie.
Pearls.
Total
of
specie
and
pearls.
G eneral
merchandise.
Total
imports.
£
£
£
£
£
1917-18
258,899
152,100
410,999
. 1,196,060
1,607,049
1918-19
64.973
36,400
101,373
1,248,687
1,350,060
Percentage of increase or
decrease on previous
year.
-74-90
—76-06
—7533
-f4*40
—16-99