Page 496 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

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VI.—KUWAIT.
General.—Tin* Stntc «»f Kuwait is ruled by an Arab Sheikh in
special treaty relations with Ills Majesty's Government and the
Government «f India, who are represented by a Tolitical Agent.
The State is hounded to the north and north-west by \lru<], to the
south and south-west by Saudi Arabia and to the east by the head­
waters of the Persian (iulf. It has a population of approximately
70,000, about 00,000 of which live in the town of Kuwait itself
whilst the remainder are Arab nomads.
The state produces little to meet its own needs and relies for most
of its requirements on foreign countries. What little agriculture
there is. is centred at Job rah (some *25 miles to the south-west of
Kuwait town.) where dates, melons, barley, wheat, beans and some
other vegetables are grown in increasing quantities and transported
to the capital by motor.
Communications, Transport, etc.—In addition to sea and air
communications, Kuwait is linked to Basra by road, and motors
perform the journey in from 3 to 4 hours. Owing to the desert-like
nature of the hinterland wfith its almost complete lack of supplies,
no regular roads connect Kuwait with the interior and with Saudi
Arabia, and such merchandise as passes between the two states is
transported by camel.
Kuwait jKJssess one ol the best harbours in the Gulf and steamers
can lie at a distance of a little over a mile fiom the shore. An
important part of the trade between Kuwait and the other ports in
the Persian Gulf is carried on by dhows.
Customs.—The administration ol the Kuwait customs is in the
hands of a local Arab. An import duty of 44 per cent, is levied on
all goods arriving by sea and a land export duly of ‘2 per cent, is
charged on goods taken out by Beduin.
There is no sea export duty except on goods brought in from the
interior such as clarified butter, hides, wool, etc., on which 4 per
cent, is charged if exported.
Currency.—The Indian rupee is the standard currency, but Maria
Theresa dollars are used for dealings with the desert. The average
value of 100 Maria Theresa dollars for the year ending 31st March.
1034. was KS rupees.
There are no hanks in Kuwait and transfers of money to foreign
countries are made either by means of international money order
through the Post Office or through Banks in Basra.
Trade.—The total volume of trade ior the year ending 31st March,
1934, amounted to Rupees 5,300,till (imports Rupees 3,882.800,
exports Kupees 1.417,745). as compared with Rupees 4.220,570
(imports Rupees 3,114,080. exports Rupees 1,111,881» in the
previous year.