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Coll 30/80 'Trade: Reports on Persian Gulf Market and trading possibilities' [‎138v] (277/712)

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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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22
VI.—KUWAIT.
General. —The State of Kuwait is ruled by an Arab Sheikh in
special treaty relations with His Majesty’s Government and the
Government of India, who are represented by a 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. .
The State is bounded to the north and north-west by ‘Iraq, to the
south and south-west by Saudi Arabia and to the east by the head
waters of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . It has a population of approximately
70,000, about 60,000 of which live in the town of Kuwait itselfi
whilst the remainder are Arab nomads. "
The state produces little to meet its own needs and relies for most
of its requirements on foreign countries. What little agriculture
there is, is centred at Jehrah (some 25 miles to the south-west of
Kuwait town) where dates, melons, barley, wheat, beans and some
other vegetables are grown in increasing quantities and transported
to the capital by motor.
Communications, Transport, etc. —In addition to sea and air
communications, Kuwait is linked to Basra by road, and motors
perform the journey in from 3 to 4 hours. Owing to the desert-like
nature of the hinterland with its almost complete lack of supplies,
no regular roads connect Kuwait with the interior and with Saudi
©
Arabia, and such merchandise as passes between the two states is
transported by camel.
Kuwait possess one of the best harbours in the Gulf and steamers
can lie at a distance of a little over a mile from the shore. An
important part of the trade between Kuwait and the other ports in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. is carried on by dhows.
Customs. —The administration of the Kuwait customs is in the
hands of a local Arab. An import duty of per cent, is levied on
all goods arriving by sea and a land export duty of 2 per cent, is
charged on goods taken out by Beduin.
There is no sea export duty except on goods brought in from the
interior such as clarified butter, hides, wool, etc., on which 4 per
cent, is charged if exported.
Currency. —The Indian rupee is the standard currency, but Maria
Theresa dollars are used for dealings with the desert . The average
value of 100 Maria Theresa dollars for the year ending 31st March,
1934, was 88 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
There are no banks in Kuwait and transfers of money to foreign
countries are made either by means of international money order
through the Post Office or through Banks in Basra.
Trade. —The total volume of trade for the year ending 31st March,
1934, amounted to Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 5,300,611 (imports Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 3,882,866,
exports Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 1,417,745), as compared with Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 4,226,570
(imports Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 3,114,689, exports Rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. 1,111,881) in the
previous year.

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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' [‎138v] (277/712), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/3797, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100042657786.0x00004e> [accessed 20 April 2024]

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