Page 399 - 4 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 2_Neat

Report on the Trade of Kuwait for the year 1936-37

(1st April 1936 to 31st March 1937)

BY

Captain G. S. deGaury, M.C.,
Political Agent, Kuwait.
PART L of the year un der review on account of the Corona­
tion. According to the Customs export figures
1. General. some f»8. 1,10.000 worth of pearls were estimated
2. Currency. to have been exported for sale in India and else­
3. Weights end Mcaturcs. See Trade Report where. But this figure as explained under “ ex­
4. Pearl Fishing. ► for the year 1932- ports ,r cannoc be relied on in any way.
5. Customs Administra­ 33. 12. Imports.—The total imports by sea amounted
tion and Lighterage. to Rs. 42,47,5-30 which showed a decrease of 15-66
6. Sea Fish/ries. per cent, as compared with the figures for 1935-36.
7. Frc:ghl, Shipping and Savigation,.—(a) For This decrease is accounted for by the known de­
general remarks ace Trade Report for the year crease in the imports of tea, matches, coffee and
1932-33. cement- Of the total import trade 3995 per cent,
(b) The rate of freight by the British India Steam was with India, 10-91 per cent, with Iraq, 14-53
Navigation Company's steamers was Rs. 12-S-0 per coat, with Persian Coast, 2-89 per cent, with
from Bombay or Karachi to Kuwait, and vice versa. the United Kingdom. 7-73 per cent, with Japan,
8. Communi-ycticns.—(a) For general remarks see 5-32 per cent, with Arab Coast and 18-67 per cent,
Trade Report for the year 1932-33. with ether countries.
(6) During the year under re .new Imperial Air­ 13. Exports.—The total exports by sea amounted
ways continued to call twice a week either way, to Rs. 15,82,2:35 and showed an increase of 11-29
weather and punctuality permitting. per cent, compared with the figures for 1935-36;
9. Boat Building.—Twenty-three l>oats of an thus reverting to their 1933-84 leveL This is
aggregate value of Rs. 77,250 were built in Kuwait accounted for by a marked increase in the export
during the year under review. Of these one had of lambskins. Pearls of tbe aggregate amount
a carrying capacity of 210 tons. These figures of Rs. 1,10,000 are shown in the tables as having
are not included in the Trade Report. Many smaller been erportod for sale to Indian markets, bat accu­
rowing boats were also built which it is unneces­ rate figure8 of these as well as of specie can, as
sary to enumerate. The increase is due to the grow­ mentioned elsewhere, never be obtained, as both
ing reputation of the Kuwait boats. are nearly always carried away amongst personal
10. Labour.—The average price of labour was luggage.
as follows:— Of the total export trade 32-2*/ per cent was
with India, 36-17 per cent, with Arab Coast, 26-89 per
1. An unskilled labour** From Ra. 1 to Re- 1 -8 p. d. cent, with Iraq, 4-11 per cent with Persian Coast
2- A Carpenter . From Rs. 3 to Rs. 5 p. d. and 0-56 per cent, with other countries.
3. A boat buiV* . . From Rs. 3 to Rs. 4 p. d. 14. Rainfall.—
11. The Year 1936-37.—The year under review
was again not a favourable one for trade, although Inches.
it showed a slight improvement in tbe exports of April. 1934 . •42
the immediately preceding 12 months. This must May.1934 . -44
be put down to the depression in pearl trade which
has been the chief industry of Kuwait and the fact Nor ember, 19(14 •38
that there was practically no trade with Nejd. Tbe December, 1934 MS
pearl 44 catch ” on the whole was again not good, January, 1937 -<2
but tbe market improved slightly towards tbe end February, 1937 -fit