Page 383 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL. AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1001-1002. 99

VII.—REP OUT ON THE TRADE AND COMMERCE OF THE
Part
BAHREIN ISLANDS FOR 1901.
Tho total trade of Bahrein during 1901 approached to within a lakh and-a- General
* If of that for 1899, which was the most prosperous year in the annals of the ®o»arke.
Islands. The increase is Rs. 52,3 1,9G0 on the figures for 1900, and is principally
duo to the large importations of Indian rice and a successful pearling season.
The exports are in excess of the imports by Bs. 2,23,220.
The Pearl Fishery opened on the Sth May and continued to the 9tli Septem­
ber. Die operations were very satisfactory, and the export proved to bo the
largest on record, and of a better average in quality. The demand for small
pearls appearing at the end of 1900 continued into the year under review, and
in the latter part of the season the larger sizes of pearls advanced in price. The
transactions arc said to have proved profitable, and. only in one case a loss was
reported. The pearl merchants state that the improvement in the price is due to
;m anticipation of large sales of the gem being effected in Europe owing to the
approaching Coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII.
Business in all branches of the trade has been profitable throughout the year.
Rice, however, owing to excessive importations, fell slightly in the last quarter,
hut not below the imported price. Rice is generally sold on the credit system,
realizing profits from 20 to 40 per cent, according to the period arranged which
seldom exceeds nine months. Settlements of accounts arc effected in April, when
cash advances can he obtained by the pearl-divers from the masters of the pearling
craft, and at the termination of the date and pearling seasons in August and
September. Cotton piece-goods and other merchandise arc sold also on credit
•ir.d payable in weekly instalments.
The past year is remarkable for the largest importations of cotton piece-
goods on record. Bahrein supplies the adjacent coast and its hinterland where
lr..de routes run to Nejd and beyond, and it may be assumed that when those
parts arc more settled the trade is likely to increase, the fact, therefore, ought to
be borne in mind by British firms desirous of extending their business.
The use of lea is slowly becoming more general, and though the quantity
imported is insignificant, it shows a steady rise and likely to improve in the
future
The importation of coffee has developed considerably and Brazilian brands
are now competing successfully against the productions of India and Ceylon.
A new feature in the classification of shells has been introduced in the
statistical tables in the hope that it will be more comprehensible to the merchants
trading in the commodity. The mother-of-pearl and mussel, as also a certain
quantity of oyster shells—known to the trade as Linga shells—arc imported from
the coast of ivatr and the island of Dalma olf Abu Tliabi. 1 he oyster shells
exported from Bahrein arc regarded as the best obtainable in the Persian Gulf,
being of a better average and heavier tlian those shipped from other ports. The
fir>t description of shells arc sold by weight and the oyster by measure ; the
ordinary rice-bag being used for the. purpose, and tho price of the latter in the
uncleaned state ranged from Rs. 1} to Rs. 3 the bag.
The German firm of Messrs. Prins and Sturken of Hamburg opened a
branch business in Bahrein in the second quarter of the year. The conditions of
tradti obtaining in Bahrein have also attracted a number of Persian traders and
•Tows who arc said to he doing well.
A schedule of the rate of lighterage on cargo brought to Bahrein by steamers
is annexed for the information of merchants.
The imports exceeded those of 1900 by nearly twenty-seven and three Import*,
quarter lakhs of rupees.
The imports from India represented more than two*thirds of the whole and
juow an advance of nearly seventeen lakhs exclusive of specie which was groater
]?• i o- ^70- Building materials improved to tho extent of Rs. 4,170; coffee
s. 1,85,945 ; coir and rope, Rs. 1,320 ; cotton piece-goods, Rs. 5,00,0C0;