Page 45 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

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“ Piece goods,” This is a new entry and is the cloth (I\az) manufactured
in Shuster has already been remarked upon. The cloih goes to El ldassa.
“ Specie. ” This export goes to pay for wheat and barley imported from
Persian coast. As these imports were not imported no cash went out.
«* Sugar” is also a new item and the export amounts to Rs. 10,800. It
goes chioily to tho small ports on the Persian coast, and is therefore a form of
smuggling.
“Tea.” Thcro is a big falling ofT of Rs. 21,S30. Much of the tea import­
ed, it is said, was consumed by tho townsmen and therefore less was available
for export to tho Persian coast.
“Tobacco.” This item has disappeared from the year's returns. Estimates
for the year 3907-08 wvro the estimates of the quantity smoked at the pearl
fisheries and the sailing craft on their small voyages. They are omitted entire­
ly. iu the present returns as not being trade.
“ Wet dates” shows a decrease of Rs 42,000 and thi* is due to poverty of
the trading classes and poor pearl market. Much of what was imported was
consumed locally and therefore little wa3 available for re-export.
“ Wheat” was not imported owing to bad harvests in Persia and therefore
no export.
Other items of export and import are of no great consequence and Jo cot
call for explanation.
Keel tonne.—*i lie Maria Theresa dollar opened the year at Rs. 113 per cent
its highest point and closed at the rate of Rs. 129 on 314 M:r*ch 1909. The
average rate of the dollar during ihe year being Rs. 135*04 per cent.
Shipping.—The number of steam vessels that entered and cleared from
the Eoweit harbour during the year is 90 representing a tonnage of 1,02,C65.
The greater number of these vessels were of the B. I. Company and a few
of the Bombay-Persian S. N. Company. Xo foreign steam ships visited the
port during the year.
’ Rainfall.’- Rain fall in Koweit during the year uuder report amounts to
2T2J inches.
S. G. XX OX, 2/1 ajor,
Rvlilical Jgent, RoiceiL