Page 165 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

REPORT

05 TU«

TRADE OE KUWAIT

for the year 1913-1914.
(1st April to 31st March.)

table gives tbc percentage of trade ■with the various
INTRODUCTION.
countries for tho last three years ——
The year under review was an unfavourable one
from tho trade point of viow. Thore was scarcity Export*.
of rain in the early part of tho year (when it is Country. Import*.
generally expected) both on tho coast and in tho
hinterland, which made grazing scarce and fodder 1011- 1012- 1913- 1911- 1912- 1913-
unobtainable except at prohibitive prices. This 12. 13. 14. 12- 13. 14.
reduced tho condition of the cattle and other live­
stock and resulted in very littlo desert produco being S3 3 656
available for sale in Kuwait town. Then the pearl India 60S G0 9 CS-2 75-4
season, tho chief local industry, was also a bad one, United Kingdom. 92 3-5 4-G
both as regards production and prices obtainable.
Some of the pearl merchants who had previously 70-0 G4'4 62 9 CSi 734 C5-6
made largo purchases were badly affocted by a slump
in tho European market and persons of los6cr impor­ Turkish Arabia . 11*4 9-3 9-2 6-2 3*1 61
tance engaged in this means of livelihood were re­ America . 20 24 2-7
duced in many cases to selling their household pro­
perty in order to make existence possible. These Persia 56 7-0 12-5 0-7 10-9 9*7
successive misfortunes bad naturally an injurious
effect on the trade of the port. France 08 22 40
Total Trade. The total trade of the port Germany . 1*8 3-3 22
during the year has amounted to £483,233 as
against £370,55S in 1912-1913, a decrease of £85,320 Arab Coast 5-9 65 07 170 9-6 147
or 14 95 per cent. Tho reasons given in the intro­ Austria 3-2 41
ductory remarks above are mainly responsible for
this large reduction. Other Countries. 2-5 17 17 1* 1-0 4-9
The onsning year promises better, for a copious . 11000 1000
supply of rain is reported to havo fallen throughout Total 100-0 j ioo-o 10GO 100-0
the desert which will improve the condition of tho
cattle and other live-stock and will help to give 6tim- The decrease both in import* and exports ha*
' nlns to trade. Unfortanately great things aro not been a general one. Reasons for abnormal increase*
expected of the ensuing pearling season, though there and decreases in some of tho commodities are a*
is no sign of decrease in the number of boats preparing follows
for departure to the bonk*.
Imports and Exports. The imports and ex­ IMPORTS BY STEAMERS.
ports during the year amounted to £370,817 and ^Arms & Ammunition. Show an increase of
£114,421 respectively as compared with £438,298 £75,(09 which is due to increased quantities of
and £132,2GU in 1912-1913, giving decreases of 15*39 ammunition imported br the Ruler of Kuwait,
and 14*24 per cent respectively. The following permit* for which were obtained by him.
175 P.if.D.