"الملف 9/2 تجارة اللؤلؤ" [و‎‎١‎٠‎١] (٣١٢/٢٠١)

P.G.
33890/47
Ext.1862/47
EXT.313/
BOARD OF TRADE
EXPORT PROMOTION - DEPARTMENT
35, OLD QUEEN STREET,
LONDON, S.W.l
31st January, 1948
Dear Mr. Harrison,
I am writing with reference to my letter of the 13th
December, 1947, Concerning possible alternative markets for
Persian Gulf pearls now that the trade with India has ceased.
A reply has now been received from the Counsellor (Commercial)
at Washington in response to the enquiry in respect of market
possibilities in the United States of America.
The reply, which is enclosed, consists of the
following documents
(1) A statement showing the value of natural and
cultured pearls imported into the U.S.A. in 1946
from the different supplying countries;
(il) A memorandum prepared by the Consulate General
at New York together with a list of the principal
imnorters of natural pearls in that city and a
statement of the pearl trade by one of the leading
New York merchants, and
(ill) a memorandum prepared by the Consulate General
at San Francisco.
In a covering letter the Counsellor (Commercial) makes
the following remarks
It seems clear that practically the whole of pearl
buying for the United States of America is concentrated in New
York and that the rer-uirmment s for other parts of the country
are drawn from merchants in New York. You will see from New
York’s memorandum that the firms which still engage in the
natural pearl business and are interested in Persian Gulf
pearls are having difficulty in connection with the drilling
and bleaching of pearls since the suspension of imports in I^di
Arrivals of both natural pearls and cultured! pearls
have progressively increased since the conclusion of hostili
ties.* It may be of interest to record that the United States
Commercial Company rece tly imported 13,767 strands of
cultured pearls from Japan and sold them by auction for a
total of £379,511. The consignment was sold in 34 cases on an
r, as is” basis and as the auction was conducted by sealed bids,
a reliable average value is difficult to establish; one case
containing 471 strands sold for £35,000 whereas two others
with 454 strands and 420 strands respectively fetched £ll,000
and 12,600.
The sale of natural pearls in this market might be
assisted by the reduction in Customs duty from 10 to 5 per cent
ad Valorem, which is to come into effect on January 1st, 1948.
The extent to which this reduction may effect sales is probably
limited, however, in view of the comparative price of natural
pearls.
It is hoped that the information furnished will be of use to
you. You will of course treat certain remarks with the
necessary reservations.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd.) A. Howard.
F.A.K. Harrison, Es^- .,
Commonwealth Relations Office,
Whitehall, S.W.l