Page 124 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

122 Notes on Budget, for 134$.

'Revenue.

For the last four years owing to steadily increasing
revenue it has been possible each year to estimate an in­

crease in receipts. In my last annual report I wrote that

it was generally thought that the trade prospects for the
coming year were not promising. Owing to trouble on the
mainland and the 'Persian question it was thought that trade

would be adversely affected. Unfortunately this predic­
tion was true and in addition to these reasons an abnor­

mally bad year on the pearl market has resulted in general
trade depression which is reflected in a serious falling

off in revenue.
In my opinion and in the opinion of the mercantile

community in Bahrain the prospects for the new year are
even worse than those of the past year. Unless there is

a complete change in the condition of the pearl market
the financial position in the new year will be very serious.

For these reasons instead of budgeting for an increased
revenue I have reduced the estimated customs colle ctions

to Rs 8,80,000/- which is one lac less than the estimated
collection for 1348 and Bs 64,4 less than the actual

amount collected during that year. It is hoped that the
revenue will exceed this amount but I feel that it would

be dangerous to expect any more. The Customs collections
are the main revenue of the State, its other sources of

income are almost negligible.
Miscellaneous. Bs 20,000/-. This heading includes

various fees and duties collected by the customs such as
tobacco tax, harbour dues, etc. and also passport fees,

the last two items did not exist before this year.