Page 16 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

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The bone trade, as anticipated in last year’s report, shows an increase, but
it is to be feared that next year it will disappear out of the returns. There are
fine profits in it and the export might be largely expanded, but the unfortunate
exporter—a Persian—has been so harassed in the course of his operations that he
talks of giving it up altogether. The neighbours will not permit lrm to accumu-,
late his slocks and the boatmen will not carry them.. The Ncjdi and Bedouin
have no prejudices, but the seafaring population, with Shiite proclivities, show
very decided opinions as to what is unclean.
Bahrein and the Persian coast have taken large quantities of ghi due to our
local plenty.
Other c’. -lmer exports call for no particular remark.
Country sailing boat exports show no such remarkable increase in spite of
the favourable season.
Indeed, if the doubtful specie entry, not included in last year's returns, be
eliminated, trade merely shows the trilling increase of Rs. 31,145. The presump*
tion would be that the steamer will oust the buggalow in a short time.
No special interest attaches to the fluctuations in these exports except in
the case of astrakhan which has decreased considerably. The reason given is
that, owing fo the good rains, the Bedouins saw more profit in keeping the lambs
to sell later for food instead of slaughtering them for their skins.
The export of camels to the Persian coast is steadily expanding and has
attained quite respectable dimensions. It would seem that there should be
profit over their freight for British India steamers and that the question is worth
examination. The camels are taken to Muhammerah, Bunder Rig, Dilam,
Ganawa and other places on the Persian coast and thence to Shuster, Yezd,
Kerman for use as transport.
The percentages of the total trade cf Koweit with other countries are as
under
India 27-45
America .., 6 00
France • mm 8*75
United Kingdom 17*46
Persia mrnm 11*22
Russia *20
Turkish Arabia I7*8o
Arab coast .., • •O 771
Germany ,M 2 80
Other countries • •9 *6l
Shipping.—The number of steam vessels that entered and cleared from the
Koweit harbour during the year is 66, representing a tonnage of 75.692.
These were almost all of the British India Company. It has not been found
possible to record the number and tonnage of the sailing vessels.
S. G. KNOX, Majvr,

Political Agent, Koweit.

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