'File 10/4 I Trade Reports' [‎485r] (984/1102)

A general description of this industry is given in tiiis
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Trade Report tor the jear 1927/28.
OUSTQMS .
The Tnriff is fixed by Treaty at 5 per cent advalorem
on all imports. In June 1920 on the advice of the Government
of India the tax on goods landed at Bahrain in transit to the
mainland was reduced from 5 per cent to 2 |:er cent at which
figure it formerly stood. Export duty of m. X 0/- per bundle
of hides and mZ/~ per "basket of dates is charged# The
Customs work is carried on by a Kuropean Director of Cuetons
under ike orders of the Buler of Bahrain#
BAuKS .
A branch of the ..astern Bank exists at Bahrain and
transacts all classes of business and the Hundi system is also
used by the Hindu merchants•
This bank is also the State bank of the Bahrain
Qovernaent.
sm mmmm®*,
The Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited, a subsidiery
company of the Standard Oil Co .ipany Limited of California has
been prospecting 1 for oil in Bahrain# They have put down a
i
test bore and thoujh traces of :fas have been net no oil has
hitherto been discovered in coBMeraial quantities*
imtmjm imkk*
The Political igent, l^ahrain, who is in close touch with
local and mainland affairs, will be glad to answer .any
enquiries reijardin^- trade from merchants in the United
King-do® through the Board Of Overseas Traie. Enquiries from
India should be made through the Director General of
Cosaercial Intelligence at Calcutta. Time would probably
be saved by addressing the latter official direct, as
information on aost ordinary mtters is available in his
/t
records#
t . :
'OHXFPISS .
There is