Page 361 - 4 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 2_Neat

Report on the Trade of Kuwait for the year 1935-36

{1st April 1935 to 31st March 1936).

BY
Captain G. S. cLGaury, M. c.,
Political Agent, Kuwait•
PART X. trade which has bern the chief industry of Kuwait
and the fact that there was practically no trade
1. General. J
2. Ctirm-oy. f with Nejd. The rear! “catch” on the whole
3. Weights and Measures. [ See. Trade Report for was again not. pood and the market remained low.
4. Pearl Fishing. the year 1932-33. According to the Customs export figures, some
5. Customs A(G nl fist ra­ Rs. 235,200 worth of pearls were estimated to have
tion an-1 Light* raj . been exported for sale in India and elsewhere.
6. Sea Fisheries. Brit this figure as explained under “ Exports ”
cannot be relied on in any way.
7. Freight, Shipping and Navigation.—(a) for
general remarks sec Trade Report for the year 12. Imports.—The. total imports by sea amounted
1932-33. to R3. 19,10,047, which showed an increase of
18-3 per cent, as compared with the figures for
(0) The rate of freight by the British India Steam 1934-35. This increase is accounted for by—
Navigation Company’s steamers was Rs. 12-8-0
from Bombay or Karachi to Kuwait, and tice versa. (a) -increased demand for luxries and a higher
standard of living,
8. Conmiuniratiom.’ (a) For general remarks
(b) increase in the European population,
aee Trade Report for the year 1932-33.
(c) Visit of His Majesty King Ibn Saud with
(h) During the year under review Imperial 700 men and very large orders given by
Airways continued to call twice a week either way, His Majesty to Kuwait merchants,
weather and punctuality permitting.
{d) greatly increased prosperity among carry­
9. Boat Building.—Forty boats of an aggregate ing ship owners more than offsetting
value of Rs. 1,00,100 were built in Kuwait during decrease among pearling boat-owners,
the year under review. Of these two had a carry­ often same men.
ing capacity of 230 tons each. These figures are Of the total import, trade 43*2 per cent, was with
not included in the Trade Report. Many smaller India, 7 per cent, with Iraq, 15*4 per cent- with
rowing boa as were also built which it is unnecessary Fereian Coast, 5'2 per cent, with the United
to enumerate. The increase is due to the growing Kingdom, 9*2 per cent, with Japan, 2 per cent,
reputation of the Kuwait boats.
with Arab Coast and 18 per cent, with other
10. Ijalovr.—The average price of labour was countries.
m follows:—
13. Exports.—The total exports by sea amounted
1. An onaAiUtd laboorer . Tram Ka. O-U-0 to Ha. 1-S-O p. A to Rs. 14,21,840 and showed an increase of 15*4
2. A car-pro.tor . From B«. 2-M to Ha. 3 8-0 p. A per cent, compared with the figure for 1934-35,
S- A boat haiildcr . Fro. Bj. 2-SO to 1U. 3-8-0 p. A thus reverting to their 1933-34 level. This is
11. The year 1935-36.— The year under review accounted for by a marked increase in the export
was again not a favourable one for trade, although of specie and bullion silver. Pearls of the aggregate
it showed an improvement in the imports and amount of Re. 2,35,200 are shown in the tables as
exports of the immediately preceding 12 months. having been exported for sale to Indian markets,
This must be put down to the depression in pearl but accurate figures of these as well as of specie
*Lf9EAD