Page 236 - Records of Bahrain (6)_Neat

224 Records of Bahrain

-6-
X believe It will be nocos3ary to appropriate at least
£.200,000 from the present state Hosorve for this pur­
pose, but I fool that tho yield from this ro-invootmont
will silonco tho most pessimistic critic, v.'hat is more
important still is that State funds insteud of being at
the disposal of a Corporation or Government for a very
inadequate roturn will bo profitably employed for the
Improvement of tho living conditions of the people of
the Stato.
Air-conditioning is essential in the Persian Gulf
and the Bahrain Government 3houlu bo plunning the provi­
sion of adequate air-conditioning facilities for thoir
own staff and possibly tho installation of large units
for the air-conditioning of groups of private residential
houses. It would be to tho Bahrain Government’s advantage
to get in touch with some reputable firm of manufacturers
of air-conditioning units with a view to inviting an
expert to visit' tho Islands and advise on a policy for the
future.
8. Bahrain must bo prepared to meet possible competition
from neighbouring ports especially the now Jaudi Arabian
port of pas Tanura. Che best and only way to do this is
for the customs Department to make this port more attractive
than othors by providing better and cheaper facilities and a
more efficient and less officious administration than possible
competitors. I should like to see tho present Customs pior
enlarged to noarly twice its size at tho land ond, and
oxtended to tho deep wator lying two hundred yards to the
north of tho present pier-head. Largo and convenient
Customs sheds should bo erected on the west side of tho town
ond of the pier and they should be availublo on payment of
rent .to merchants for the storage of bonded goods. lien
re-export procedure and regulations should be introduced and
merchants should be oncouragod to bring their goods to
Bahrain by being granted special facilities whereby goods
could be kept for any length of time and then re-exported
to neighbouring markets without loss to the owner. I should
like to see tho present rulo v/hereby tho importer is
required to pay full customs duly on goods which ho has
declared as "He-export" on import should lie full to re-export
them within a period of tv.Tmty days ultered to enable cargo
to enter Bahrain to the bonded war©houses free of customs
duty the only charges leviuble being the usual porterage
and harbour dues plus the cost of the rental of the ware­
housing facilities.
Before however any large expenditure is embarked
upon it would be advisable to consldor the relative merits
of the sltra and Manaraah anchorages and the possibility of
tho construction of a wharf at the former alongside which
ocean going stoamors could discharge and load.
9. The possibility of constructing a light railway
from Manamah to the Bahrain petroleum company's premises
at Awali’ and Sitra shall be investigated. Such an innova­
i tion would undoubtedly be to the benefit of the working
class population and i see no reason why the Buhrain petroleum
Company, who havo been for years and will bo for years to
come faced with transport problems, should not eithor under­
take tho installation themselves or agree to give the Bahrain
GovoiiuiiOiU/ such financial guarantees ns would ensure that
there was a reasonable prospect of profitable working.
/10. Lastly.........