Page 518 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

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Transport.—The chief means of transport between Kuwi
other Gulf ports is by local dhows or by steamers of the
India Steam Navigation Company which call regularly
week. There is a motor route in constant use connecting J
and Basra, and also a motor route to Riyadh. The g
obstacles are the desert-like nature of the terrain, comple
of supplies and extreme scarcity of water. The chief
means of transport is by camel along definite routes.

Currency.—Kuwait uses Indian rupees as currency,
Maria Theresa dollars are used in the interior. No bank
in Kuwait and transfers of money are made by interns
money order through the Post Office or through banks in i
Average exchange rate for 1935-36 for 100 Maria T
dollars was 133 rupees.

State of Trade.—Trade during the past year was fairl)
on the whole, as is shown by the statistics of impon
exports. These showed a distinct increase compared \vj
preceding twelve months, but nevertheless conditions in g
remained depressed. The plight of the pearling indus
mainly responsible for this depression, and until this in
recovers or an alternative industry is introduced such
development of oil concession, no permanant improven
to be looked for.-
Total imports by sea in 1935-36 amounted to 4,916,047;
or an increase of 18-3 per cent., as compared with the 1
for 1934-35. Of these imports only 5 per cent, came fre
United Kingdom; almost one half, i.e. 43-2 per cent.,
from India and 9*2 per cent, from Japan. The pero
given for India, however, included much Japanese merch
transhipped in Bombay for the Gulf ports. The Japanes
ccntage of total imports is therefore much higher than the
of 9*2 per cent, given for direct imports from Japan.
The principal articles of import are, rice, sugar, tea am
from India, piece goods, matches, hardware and miscelk
articles from Japan, wheat, barley, dates, etc., from
Japanese tea has now appeared in the market for the firs
and seems likely to make serious inroads into India's hi
predominant position on account of being cheaper than ]
tea. The United Kingdom sent hardware and glasswa
the first time to the value of 33,375 rupees, which, hoi
represents only about 5 per cent, of the whole. There i
room for considerable expansion in this line. The same n
applies to matches, of which only about 6 per cent, of tb
imports came from the United Kingdom. Other impoi
scents and perfumes, cigarettes, earthenware electrical hou
apparatus.

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