Page 6 - 3 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 1_Neat

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in the returns fish maws and hones. Tho bono export is quite new and shows
signs of developing into nn export of sorao importance. Export by local borne
bugalow tralfio show an increase of Its. 4,50,000. This is duo to Rs. 1,20,000
wet dotes being included in this year’s ret urns. Last year these were not
included as it was thought they would probably appear in the Bussorah report
but as these dates arc the produco of gardens owned by Koweitis and situated
on the banks of the Shatt-cl-Arab below Bussorah it is probable that they elude
the Turkish Customs and do not appear in tho Bussorah returns. Tho smuggl­
ing trade with and from Persia also appears for the first time in theso returns
and is, indeed, of comparatively recent growth. Other exports, especially sheep
skins, wool and astrakhan show decided dccroaso duo to a sharp spoil of cold,
which caused great mortality among tho desert sheep.
The Koweit market appears to supply the needs of tho following cus­
tomers :—
(1) the largo pearliug population of Kowoit,
(2) El Gassim,
(3) Bedouins,
(i) Turkish Arabia and Persia.
1. Koiceil pearlers.—With regard to the pearling population the only
important alteration during the year has been the visit of Kowoit fishermen to
the Ceylon pearl fisheries. A few wont during 1901-03 and brought back with
them a certain amount in wages adding to the purchasing power of Koweit.
Luring the present season a very large number have gone and as is tbe custom,
of these improvident fishermen bought heavily for themselves aud their families
thus anticipating tbc'r wages and profits.

2. El Gassim.—As regards El Gassim the troubles in Nejd have destroyed
to a large extent, at least temporarily tho purchasing power of the population.
But given peace and security in ftejd and along tbe caravan route there seems no
reason why a considerable expansion in trade should v\ fake place.
3. Bedouins.—Sheikh llobarek maintains peace and security
which he lias established in aud around Koweit h.. a in a large increase of
this floating population. They sell their goods outside or their customers go
round and purchase from them, live camels, horses, sheep, wool and ghee, and
the Bedouins come and spend their money realised from these sales in Koweit.
There is, no doubt, some truth in what the Sheikh says and he is entitled to
much credit for his firm and, on the whole, kindly method of dealing with
these tribes. Much also of this prosperity may he attributed to the prestige ho
has gained by entering into relations witii the British and also to the compara*
lively light Customs dues.
4. Persia and Turkish Arabia.—To this last cause must also he attributed
the trade with Turkish Arabia and Persia. It has been noted already that the
Customs dues show a tendency to increase and it is to be feared that unless this
tendency is checked it will not be long before traders will cease to find their
profits in what the Turkish and Persian authorities would no doubt call smuggl­
ing. Should tbe Belgians on the Persian side and the Turkish authorities with
regard toFao, Bussorah and Zobair succeed in establishing a thoroughly effec­
tive Customs control all this trade must inevitably disappear. Almost tbe
entire trade in arms may be allotted to Persia and Turkish Arabia.
It is difficult to estimate with any accuracy tbe proportions taken by each
of those four classes of customers but the pearl fishers are tho most important.
Next would come Bedouins and Persia, Turkish and Arabia in about equal
proportions. El Gassim, which might outstrip all of them, is at the present
time tho class that purchases tho least.
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