Page 400 - 4 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 2_Neat

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in TVJm-Putin' the v,-.tr tli.-tv w.-rc 0. TU 'The p«.-iti<in so far an Russian
no it-idi-mi-s. TWln'.ilth tl»- u-'«n on ,!„• whole poods arc concerned continued l.. ho the same „
was l»o,l. hut Tttlvr.-ul.-i* at-.d Ai-l.nnit.al com- in the previous ve..r. ussta piacttcally ceased U>
plaints took their usual toll, the latter especially trade durmp the year 11131-33 and there «« no
intone infants, liar and eve diseases King as attempt at a revival during the year under review,
con,men as previous vears.' 7. Jirpoersc.-Japun continued to exploit the
Kuwait market as was nqiortod last year Their
goods retained their popularity almo.-t to the ex­
clusion of those «»f all other nationalities. The
PART DL quality of most of their goods lias been inferior
and often bad hut they have pos.<e$scd the all im­
(A) Trade. portant advantage of extreme cheapness.
Gncrnl Conditio**.—At tlic present time Kuwait The majority of the habitants of Kuwait
is passing through a stage of transition from a earn little more than sullies to eU out a bare d-xiat-
Kedouin to a more or less modern town. People's once. To be readily saleable then-fore everything
wants are definitely increasing and becoming diverse must be of the lowest possible price whatever its
in character. The change lias bevn all the more quality or lasting properties may he.
rapid since the opening up of tin* overland route 8. Japanese .ViM.—As reported on in detail
to Iraq. Similarly the advent of Imperial Airways last year.
on the Arab side of the Gulf and the fact that Kuwait 0. Sanction for Mcetiig Con petition.—There
has become a regular port of call for tlie Ea>t and is nothing further to add to the detailed suggestions
WVsthound aircraft, have also had a considerable given under this head in last years Report,
civilizing effect on the Kuwait population as a* whole.
*2. Kuwait, which grows neither wheat, barley, (B) Financial.
rite, dji s. the staple fowl needs of the A rah. pro­
ducers nothing to meet her own needs: and for all 10. There arc a* point'd out ia the previous
her requirements she depends on foreign countries. Report no European mu ringed banks iu Kuwait
India supplies Kuwait with most or her foodstuffs, and trand-rs of money to foreign countries are
i>., rice, sugar. t*a. flour, etc.; Japan with pirn- ],Y mwm* of International Money Order
goods, hardware and a large variety of nuscellane- through the Post 01.ice or by drafts through local
ous articles, etc.; and Iraq with wheat, barley, Arab hankers or through hanks :n Basra,
dates, tobacco, cigarettes, articles of earthenwares, Two banks, the Ottoman and the Eastern, have
elCi been negotiating with the Ruler for percussion
3. In addition to the requirements of the popula­ to open a branch.
tion of the town itself—estimated to be some 00,000
souls, and of her Nomad tribes numbering about (C) Taxation.
20,000, Kuwait imports large quantities of food- H. An indirect tax in the form of a duty of 5 per
•tuffc which find their way into the territories of wnL ^ „!enm is Icvicd on imporls into Kuwait,
neighbouring States and help to support the great This bear3 ,j Lt, on ,e and itB cfTect on
jjedoum tribes of North East Arabia and of the purchasing power of the consumer is insignificant.
r 1
Southern desert of Iraq. This fact coupled to tbe I’nder agreement with His Majesty’s Government
advantage of possessing a fine natural harbour articles imported by British subjects pay only 4
(ono of the best in the Gulf) makes Kuwait an im­ per cent. duty.
port-ant trade centre on tbe Arab side of the Persian
Gulf.
4. New Items of Trade.—There was evident during (D) Military.
the year under review • pradual rive in the import 12. Commandeering -\ The questions do not arise
of western goods and mechanical things, among 0f Transport, s since Kuwait military
which electric goods may be noted in particular. Effects of Conscription. system is that of a tribal
An opportunity remains in 1937 for still further type.
exploitation of this latter market.
5. Growth of Foreign Competition.—Of late years,
foreign competition has grown to a formidable ex­ (E) Agriculture.
tent in tbe Kuwait market. The latest and most 13. A6 stated above, neither Kuwait nor ita
t ....
,
, J
formida jle entrant in the field being Japan. Italian, environments can boast of any agricultural resources.
Gorman and Russian good* have in turn Lad their There are no date plantations of any value, no
day and practically disappeared. At present firida Und not many kitchen gardens. The Inland
Japanese goods alone preponderate over all otLers of Failakah and the villages to tbe South-Eaat of
in the local bazaars. Kuwait supply a limited Lot increasing quantity