Page 15 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

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To turn to imports by country-sailing Tjoits, wood, wheat, barley aH show a
satisfactory increase. Rice has already been commented on.
Wet dates show a marked reduction for which no satisfactory explanation
has been obtained, Perhaps last year's returns were overestimated. The
import of ghi fron Turkish Arabia shows a marked reduction in consequence
of local supplies being so plentiful, as to be largely available for export.
Chan dais show some decrease owing to large local stocks in hand, but the
price has none the less risen on account of the dollar.
Coffee trade is trifling and is mostly imported by the masters and crews
of buggalows for private consumption.
Kerosine oil appears for the first time in these returns.
Tobacco shows a decrease for which the reason is not clear, probably owing
to large local stocks.
Coir yarn shows a remarkable advance for the reasons already explained
under twist and yarns (British India imports).
A large and'costly item now appearing for the first time is the loall trade
from Basra and the Shatt-el-Arab river ports in fresh dates. These are all
consumed locally, but were not included in last year’s returns owing to an
oversight.
Exports.

The total value of exports is estimated at Rs. 16,21,976 as against
Rs. 11,54,322 for tlie year 1905-06. This increase of nearly 50 per cent, is
satisfactory, but it is not so pleasant to note that a large portion of the increase
is due to such unreliable causes as good rains and good pearling season while
one lakh increase of specie may be put down to gambling on the dollar and
another lakh to the fact that Koweit can only send money, not goods to pay for
her imports from Persia.
It is doubtful how far this last item should appear at all in the returns, for
the remittances are made by “ hawalas " or drafts and are not in any sense specie.
'1 hey will be found in the country sailing boat exports.
The steamer exported goods show an increase this year of Rs. 3,03,176 or
of 66 per cent over last year’s returns.
To take the items of the export trade by British India steamers in their
regular order, the direct trade in horses from this port shows no expansion and it
is difficult to see how it should, as, apart from Turkish taxes (and Sheikh
Mobarak's toll increases yearly) Basra has every natural advantage over Koweit.
This year’s returns show the commencement of a large export of .sheep to
Bahrein which is to be traced solely to the excellent rains this season.
The decrease in hides and skins is, curiously enough, attributed to the same
cause, as'fewer bullocks came overland for slaughter from Turkish. Arabia, owing
to the quantity of good local mutton in the market. Hence fewer bullocks were
slaughtered and fewer skins available.
The double yield of pearls is due to' the successful catch this year.
•Maskat took a large quantity of wheat this year, while the exports to India
have dwindled to nothing.
The export of wet dates to India by British India steamers, which was a
respectable figure in 1904-05, has practically ceased. It is said that the steamer
cannot compete with the buggalow, as the freight is heavy and the dates get
damaged in transit. The new ventures-to Zanzibar and Mombassa are interest-
mg.
The export of dry fish and fish maws and sharks' fins all show an increase.
Ihis is no steady rise, it is said, but is simply due to whether some of the Maskat
fishermen choose these waters for their fishing ground or no. No local men can
he tempted to this trade.