'File 10/4 I Trade Reports' [‎53r] (116/1102)

Report on the Trade of the Bahrein Islands for the year
ending 31st March 1926.
Introduction.
A general description of the physical, political
and commercial peculiarities of the Islands is given
in the report for the year 1911-12 (Annual Series
No. 5052). The permanent population is estimated
at 115,000.
Trade.
The total value of trade for the year under report
amounted to £3,143,256 as against £2,600,225 in
1923-24, showing an increase of £543,031 or 17-2
per cent.
The total value of Imports amounted to £1,818,012
as compared with £1,711,686 in 1923-24 showing an
increase of £106,326 or 5*8 per cent. The increase
was chiefly in cotton piece goods.
Exports.
The total value of exports for the year amounted
to £1,325,244 as against £888,539 showing an increase
of £436,705 or 49-1 per cent.
The pearl trade dominated the commercial situa
tion, the following table shows the movements of
general merchandise as compared with pearls and
species:—
Imports.
Year,
Specie.
Pearl.
Total of
pearl and
specie.
General
Mer
chandise.
Total.
Imports,
£
£
£
£
£
1923-24
623,045
623,045
1,088,641
1,711,686
1924:25
343,909
33,164
377,073
1,440,939
1,818,012
Percentage of
increase or
decrease.
—44*8
+ 100
—39-4
+24-4
+5-8
Exports.
Year.
Specie. •
Pearl.
Total.
General
Mer
chandise,
Total
Exports.
£
£
£
£
£.
1923-24
23,320
433,507
459,8g7
428,712
888,539
1924-25
431,206
219,570
650,776'
674,468-
1,325,244
Percentage of
increase or
decrease.
+ 1,538
—493
+41>5
+57-3i
+49-1
Customs.
The tariff is fixed by treaty at. 5 per cent ai*
valorem on all imports. By an order of Government
of India in June 1920 the tax on goods landed at
Bahrein in transit for the mainland was reduced to
2 per cent from 5 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 by an European Director of Customs
under the orders of the Ruler of Bahrein. A shed
has been built on the landing pier during the year
under report by which a long standing defect has
been removed. A trolly line from the landing pier
to Customs Shed has also been constructed which
facilitates speedy removal of merchandise.
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. , Bahrein, who is in close
touch with local and mainland affairs, will be glad
to answer any enquiries regarding trade from mer
chants in the United Kingdom through the Com
mercial 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 address
ing the latter official direct, as information on most
ordinary matters is available in his records.
Shipping.
There is a regular weekly mail service from India
and biweekly to India. As already reported in the
previous year's report owmg to the abolition of
British Post Office at Bushire, the practice of send
ing mails to India by up-steamers via Bushire has
ceased. Thus the number of mails to India has
been reduced from 6 to 2. This somewhat adverse
ly affects the commercial community.
General Remarks.
Motor roads suitable for light cars exist nearly
all over the Islands. There are about 120 motor
cars of various makes and motor cars are also avail
able on hire. Motor boats now ply regularly between
Bahrein and Qatar on the mainland.