Page 436 - 4 Persian Trade rep KUWAIT 2_Neat

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15. Public Health.—During the year there were in the previous year. Russia practically ceased
no epidemics. The health of the town on the whole to trade during the year 1034-35 and there was no
was Rood, but Tuberculosis and Abdominal com­ attempt at a revival during the year under review.
plaints took their usual toll, the latter especially 8. Japanese.—Japan continued to exploit the
among infants. Ear and eye diseases being as Kuwait market, as was reported last year. Their
common as previous years. goods retained their popularity almost to the ex­
clusion of those of all other nationalities. The
quality of most of their goods has been inferior
and often bad but they have possessed the all im­
PART n.
portant advantage of extreme cheapness.
The majority of the inhabitants of Kuwait earn
(A) Trade,
little more than suffices to eke out a bare existence.
General Conditions.—At the present time Kuwait To he readily saleable therefore everything must
is passing through a stage of transition from a Bedouin be of the lowest possible price whatever its quality
to a more, or less moJorn town. People's wants or lasting properties may be.
arc definitely increasing and becoming diverse in 9. Japanese Methods.—As reported on in detail
character. The change has been all the more rapid last ycar. ^'’ •/V’■'-7(*• pj -
since the opening up of the overland route to Iraq. 10. Suggestion for Meeting Cow petition.—There is
.Similarly the advent of Imperial Airways on the nothing further to add to the detailed suggestions
Arab side of the Gulf and the fact that Kuwait given under this head iu last year’s Report.
hns become a regular port, of call for the East and
West-bound aircraft, have also had a considerable (B) Financial.
civiliring effect on the Kuwait population as a
whole. 11. There arc as pointed out in the previous
2. Kuwait, which grows neither wheat, barley, Report, no European managed banks in Kuwait
rice,f dates, the staple food needs of the Arabs, pro­ and transfers of money to foreign countries are
duces nothing to meet her own needs; for all her cither made by means of International Money
requirements she depends on foreign countries. Order through the Post Office or by drafts through
India supplies Kuwait with most of her foodstuffs, local Arab bankers or through hanks in Basra.
i.e., rice, sugar, tea, flour, etc.; Japan with piece- Two banks, the Ottoman and the Eastern, have
goods, hardware and a large variety of miscclb mcous been negotiating with the Ruler for permission to
articles, etc.; and Iraq with wheat, barley, dates, open a branch.
tobacco, cigarettes, articles of earthenware, etc.
3. In addition to the requirements of the popula­ (C) Taxation.
tion of the town itself—estimated to be some 60,000 12. An indirect tax in the form of a duty of 5
souls, and of her nomad tribes numbering about per cent, ad valorem is levied on imports into Kuwait.
20,000, Kuwait imports large quantities of food­ This bears very lightly on people and its effect on
stuffs which find their way into the territories of purchasing power of the consumer is insignificant.
neighbouring States and help to support the uTeat Under agreement with His Majesty’s Government
Bedouin tribes of North East Arabia and of the articles imported by British subjects pay only
Southern desert of Iraq. This fact coupled to the 4 per cent. duty.
advantage of possessing a fine natural harbour (one
of the best in the Gulf) makes Kuwait an important (D) Military.
trade centre on the Arab aide of the Persiace Gulf.
ATew Items of Trade.—There was evident during 13. Commandeering The questions do not arise
the year under review of a gradual rise in the import of Transport. since Kuwait military
of western eoods and mechanical things, among system is that of a tribal
which electric goods may be noted in particular. Effects of Conscription. ^ type.
An opportunity remains in 1938 for still further
exploitation of this latter market. (E) Agriculture.
6. Growth of Foreign Competition.—Of late vears,
foreign competition has grown to a formidable 14. As stated above, neither Kuwait nor its en­
extent in the Kuwait market. The latest and vironments can boast of any agricultural resources.
most formidable entrant in the field being Japan. There are no date plantations of any value, no
Italian, German and Russian goods have in turn fields and not many kitchen gardens. The Island
had their day and practically disappeared. At of Failaka and the villages to the south-east of
present Japanese goods alone preponderate over Kuwait supply a limited but increasing quantity
all others in the local bazaars. of vegetables and melons. The apicultinsl centTe
7. Tte Rntnans.—The position so far as Russian in the principality is Jahrah (eituated some 25
goods are concerned continued to be the same as miles south-west of Kuwait) which has greatly