'ملف 10/4 V تقارير تجارية ' [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٨] (١١٠٢/٤٢٦)

Report on the Trade of the Bahrein Islands for the year
ending 31st March 1927.
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 1,15,000.
Trade.
The total value of trade amounted to £3,012,980
as against £2,776,646 in 1925-26 showing an increase
of £236,334 or 8-5 per cent.
$ The total value of imports amounted to £1,897,551
as compared with £1,621,869 in 1925-26 showing
an increase of £275,682 or 17-0 per cent. The
increase was chiefly in specie and cotton goods.
Exports.
The total value of exports for the year amounted
to £1,115,429 as against £1,154,777 in 1925-26,
showing a decrease of £39,348 or 3-4 per cent.
The pearl trade dominated the commercial situa
tion. The following table shows the movements of
general merchandise as compared with peark and
species —
Imports.
r
Year
Specie
Pearl
Total
of
pearl
and
specie
Generaf
merchan
dise.
Total
Imports.
£
£
£
£
£
1925-26
169,791
23,674
193,465
1,428,404
1,621,839
1926-27
469,476
i 15,370
484,846
1,412,705
1,897,551
Percentage of
increase or
decrease.
+ 63-8
—35-1
+ 60-1
—1-1
+ 17-0
Exports.
Year
Specie
Pearl
Total
of
pearl
and
specie
General
merchan
dise.
Total
Exports.
£
£
£
£
£
1925-26
270,829
191,504
462,333
692,444
1,154,777
1926-27
301,264
164,896
466,160
649,269
1,115,429
Percentage of
increase or
decrease.
ll r 2
; . i
—13-9
0-8
- 6-2
3-4
Customs.
The tariff is fixed by treaty at 5 per cent ad-valorem
on all imports. . In June 1920 on the advice of the
Government of India 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. Ther
Customs work is carried on by an European Director
of Customs under the orders of the Ruler of Bahrein,
Enquiries regarding Trade.
The Political Agent, Bahrein, who is in close touch
with the local and mainland affairs, will be glad to
answer any enquiries regarding trade from mer
chants in the United Kingdom through the
Commercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of
Trade. Enquiries from India should be made
through the Director General of Commercial Intelli
gence at Calcutta. Time would probably be saved
by addressing the latter official direct, as information
on most ordinary matters is available in his record.
Shipping.
There is a regular weekly mailservice from India
and bi-weekly to India. As reported previously owing
to the abolition of the British Post Office at Bushire,
the practice of sending mails to India by up-steamers
via Bushire has ceased. Thus the number of mails
to India reduced from 6 to 2. This somewhat
adversely affects the commercial community.
General Remarks.
Motor roads suitable for light cars exist nearly
all over the Islands. There are about 112 motor
cars of various makes and motor-cars are available
on hire. Motor boats ply regularly betwefen Bahrein
and Qatar on • the mainland and also run between:
Bahrein and Qatif.
je..- C. J. BARRETT,
Political Agent, Bahrem,