Page 5 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

No. 129, dated Koweifc, tho I2lli April 190(5.
From—Captain S. G. Knox, I.A., Political Agent* Koweit,
To—The Secretary lotlio Government of India in tho Foreign Department, Simla.
As directed bv His Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General at Bushins, I bare
111o honour to submit, herewith, tho Trade Report, with statistics, for Koweit,
for the year 1905-06.

Trade Report for Koioeit, 1005-06.

The lobi value of tho trado for tho year amounts to Rs. 59,73,251 as against
Bs. 24,07,1157 of tho preceding year showing an increase of Rs. 35,05,89 V.
Tins increase is very Largely duo to moro accurate statistics of the imports by
country sailing boats amounting to Rs. 20,00,000. This heading practically
did not appear in the last year’s returns.
The total value of imports amounts to Rs. 48, 18.929 and that of the ex­
ports Rs. 11,54,322 showing tho former to be about four times the latter. The
balance of trade would appear to bo against tho port to an alarming extent.
The observations that follow will show that tho difference, though not easy to
account for, is by no means so largo as a first glanco would suggest.
To return to imports. The statistics of imports by British India steamer
which may be relied on show an increaso of Its. 12,03,393. The increase is
in the articles noted below:—

Arm3 and ammunition 7,39,500
Coffee ... 1,49,420
Piece goods... 1,37,315
Rice ... 93,230
Sugar • •• • •• 1,07,93V
Of these arms and ammunition go clear out of the country. As regards
the other items tho explanation otiered is that, owing to the greater security of
Koweit and the country immediately round it, the Bedouins do the bulk of
their marketing here. Seme portion of the increase must bo attributed to the
rise in value of the Maria Theresa dollar which has risen 15 per cent, in rupee
value. No corresponding decrease in general prices has been noticed.
The new item, imports by country sailing boats, amounts to the very
respectable total of Rs. 20,00,000, although the only item entered under this
head la3t year shows a very considerable decrease. This is wood for boat
building. The boats have been delayed this year and are only just coming in.
The principal items under this head are
iu.
Wheat ... • •• 21 lakhs.
Barley • •• •H 2 0
Wet dates • •• Si J*
Tobacco ... • •• • •• 4i *
Rico 4 m
The first two items are exported and smuggled mainly from the Persian
coast, with a view to avoiding the ombargo. About two-thirds of the tobacco
is consumed locally or taken away by tho Bedouins. Thus out of the 17 lakhs
covered by these articles 8 lakhs is simply transit trade.
Exports by British India stoamer show a falling off of Bs. 1,13,117 which
may be accounted for by tho large decrease in specie. Two new items occur
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