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'189 Trade Report of Bahrain Islands.' [‎211r] (427/756)

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The record is made up of 2 volumes (374 folios). It was created in 12 Sep 1918-28 Aug 1950. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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REPORT
ON THE
TRADE OF THE BAHRAIN ISLANDS
for the years ending 31st March 1931 and 31st March 1922.
Introduction.
A general description of the physical, political,
and commercial peculiarities of the Islands is
oiven in the report for the year 1911-1 ~
(Annual Series No. 5052). The permanent
population has increased to about 115,000, this
increase being mainly among the foreign com
mercial community doing business in Manamah.
2. Slump in Trade in 1920-21 and Partial
Revival in 1921-22.
As a result of the world-wide depression in
trade, the pearl market was exceptionally dull in
the year 1920-21. This, as is always the case in
the Bahrain Islands, is at once reflected in the
figures for the general trade of the Islands.
Imports show a decrease in value of £U>3,430
and Exports £533,273 compared with the year
1919-20; the latter figure being mainly due to a
large decrease in the value of exports, mainly
pearls. The decrease was actual since very few
pearls were sold, though probably not so great
as the figures would show owing to the fact that
pearls are rarely exported on manifest and com
plete records are therefore not available.
A slight revival of trade occurred in the year
1921-22, imports showing an increase over 1921’-
21 of £201,096 and exports similarly an increase
of £137,949 ; the latter figure again being due
mainly to export of pearls to India.
3. Customs.
The Tariff is fi xed by treaty at five per cent
ad valorem on all imports. By an order of the
Government of India in 1920 the tax on goods
landed at Bahrain in transit for the mainland
was reduced to two per cent, from five 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 for the Ruler of Bahrain by a Hindu
firm, a member of which acts as Director.
Owing to the lack of a shed on the landing pier
goods are often damaged especially during the
rains. The Ruler has as yet taken no steps to
remedy the defect.
4. 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, who is in close
touch with local and mainland affairs, will be
very glad to answer any enquiries regarding
trade by merchants in the United Kingdom r
through the Commercial Intelligence Branch of
the Board of Trade. Enquiries from India should
be made through the Director-General of Com
mercial 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.
5. General remarks.
The tender system for export of rice from
India ceased in 1922. It had caused great dis
satisfaction and was open to much abuse.
The number of Motor Cars in the Island has
increased during 1920-22 and there are now
some forty ears, motly of American makes,
which are imported direct from America on a
through f Bill of Lading A document confirming the goods which a ship has received. ' thus escaping customs
in India. Any English firm of Light Car

About this item

Content

The volumes comprise trade and commerce reports, primarily for Bahrain but also for Arabistan and Bushire covering the period 1918-1924.

The reports included in the volumes are:

  • Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the year ending 31 March 1918 (ff 7-39)
  • Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the year ending 31 March 1919 (ff 51-78)
  • Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the year ending 31 March 1920 (ff 108-136)
  • Trade Report of the Province of Arabistan for the year ending March 1920 (ff 145-170)
  • Trade Report of the Port of Bushire for the year 1919-1920 (ff 172-190)
  • Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the years ending 31 March 1921 and 31st March 1922 (ff 211-224)
  • Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the year ending 31 March 1923 (ff 228-256)
  • Report on the Trade of the Bahrain Islands for the year ending 31 March 1924 (ff 310-338).

The volumes also include amended versions of the reports where discrepancies were noted in them; and printed copies produced by the Government of India.

The correspondence in the volume primarily comprises letters from 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. at Bahrain sending out copies of the reports to interested parties, and acknowledgements of receipt in reply; some correspondence with the Eastern Bank Limited, Director of Customs at Bahrain, and Yusuf Ahmed bin Kanoo relates to requests from traders, exporters and other interested parties for trade statistics and information relating to trade and commerce in Bahrain.

The first folio of volume one comprises correspondence between the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. at Bahrain and the Political Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. in Bushire from 1948-1950 regarding a circular issued by the Foreign Office in 1948 which outlined a new format for trade reports.

Extent and format
2 volumes (374 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front of volume one to the rear of volume two.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: This volume is in two parts. The foliation sequence commences at the first folio of the first part with 1, and terminates at the last folio of the second part with 374 (the covers have not been foliated); these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'189 Trade Report of Bahrain Islands.' [‎211r] (427/756), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/952, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025552881.0x00001c> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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