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Coll 30/80 'Trade: Reports on Persian Gulf Market and trading possibilities' [‎121r] (242/712)

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The record is made up of 1 file (354 folios). It was created in 30 Apr 1930-12 Mar 1948. 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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■MH
JMW.
COPY
26291/1936
British Consulate G-eneral
B w ,, >f the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
I spent a few days at Muscat. I did not come across any
specific cases effecting British trade and trading methods, but
business was extremely dull and this state of affairs will
doubtless be reflected in the next trade returns.
2. As elsewhere in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Japanese goods pre
dominate owing to price. The piece goods trade is in the
hands of the Japanese and is likely to remain so. There is
practically no demand for high class goods but only essentials
and these must be cheap owing to the poverty of the population
whose wants are few. At present there are no openings for
new lines of British goods.
3. I also visited Matrah - a small village on the coast
about three miles from Muscat. This is considered to be the
trade centre rather than Muscat. The British India steamers
do not discharge cargo there but German ships do. Matrah is
a larger place than Muscat. Here again Japanese goods -
especially piece goods - predominate on account of their cheap
ness. The whole place looks most unattractive and poverty
stricken.
4 . In Muscat H.M.V. Gramophones are on sale. This year
about 30 have been sold. They play records of oriental music
made in India. The Gramophones themselves come from the
United Kingdom.
3. There is at present no opening for wireless receiving
sets. They would probably find a ready sale if electricity
were available or if batteries could be recharged on the spot.
6. Import duties into Muscat were increased about 18
months ago. They now range from 10^ on foodstuffs to 20^ on
imported alcoholic drinks. This has not brought about an
increase in the retail price of Japanese goods as the higher
duties have been counteracted by a reduction in export prices
from Japan.
7. In general it may be said that trade with Muscat
is not likely to increase to any appreciable extent until the
earning power of the inhabitants is raised as a result of
higher prices for exports.
(SIGNED) FRANK H. TODD.
His Majesty’s Vice-Consul
31 . 12.1935

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Content

The file contains information on economic and trade conditions in the states located on the Arab side of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , and discussion of the potential market there for British goods. The main correspondents are the Department of Overseas Trade, and the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The file also contains a number of detailed reports from British officials, which were submitted to the Department of Overseas Trade.

The first of these reports, dated 1931, relates specifically to cotton piece-goods, and consists of a general report by the British Vice-Consul at Bushire on the Arab coast market, and reports on local conditions from the Political Agents at Kuwait and Muscat, the 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. Agent, Shargah [Sharjah] (relating to Debai [Dubai] and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. ), and the Director of Customs and Port Officer, Bahrain. Further general reports on economic conditions in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. by various British Vice-Consuls at Bushire, are dated 1934-37 (including a Department of Overseas Trade published version, for October 1934, folios 126-144). There are also other reports on local conditions, and general correspondence concerning economic conditions and the market for British goods. Papers from 1936 onwards show increasing awareness of the importance of oil in enhancing the potential economic significance of the Gulf states.

The following correspondence is also of note:

The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format
1 file (354 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 355; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English in Latin script
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Coll 30/80 'Trade: Reports on Persian Gulf Market and trading possibilities' [‎121r] (242/712), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3797, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100042657786.0x00002b> [accessed 24 April 2024]

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