Page 271 - 1 Persian Trade rep Bahrain 1_Neat

REPORT

ON THE

TRADE OF THE BAHRAIN ISLANDS

for the year ending the 31st March 1914, by Captain T. H. Keyes, I. A.,
Political Agent,

Introduction. appear to be any special openings for other British
firms. The absence of <lirect communication with
A general description of the physical, poli­ England and consequent high freights still handi­
tical aid commercial pecnliaritiesof the Islands is cap British trade.
given in part I of the Report for the year 1912-13
(sos ail series No. 5052). Since that year the
rgrlar population h as increased to about 110,000 Customs.
red a larger number of foreigners now Tisit
(Le Islinds in the pearling season. The improved arrangements for lauding and
As reported tast year the local Customs delivering cargo are now working satisfactorily.
Drfcr.oient does not keep accurate statistics, The tariff is fixed at 5 per cent ai valorem by
cciiHq-jently these have to be prepared from treaty and at the present time the Customs work
{timers’ manifests, access to which has been is being carried on for the Ruler of Eibrain by an
readily given by the courtesy of the Customs Indian (Hindu) firm, a member of which acta as
Dixe:t:r. They are, therefore, incomplete, especi­ the Director of Customs.
ally ai regards export* to the mainland which
a.*e ah carried in na: ire boats withont manifests.
A largt quantity of merchandise is also imported Inquiries regarding Trade.
ty native craft of which none except those coming
Irani Ldia and owned by Indians cany manifests. The Political Agent will be very glad to
Tb; statistics regarding movements of pearls answer any inquiries regarding trade from mer­
chants in the United Kingdom through the Com­
*’d specie are very incomplete, as numbers of mercial Intelligence Branch of the Board of
kcal pearl merchant* who travel to and from Trade. Enquiries from India should be made
Barclay and t he foreign pearl merchants carry
, ?e quantities of pearls and specie in their through the Director General of Commercial
Intelligence at Calcutta. Time would probably
,°oipg« or on their persons. There is no b3nk be saved by addressing the latter official direct,
!Q H-^ain and manv lakhs of rupees are brought as information on most ordinary subjects is avail­
by registered post in the form of
icdua currency notes of HI,000 or 500. It is, able in his records.
cl
impossible to obtain statistics of all
Shipping and Communications.
The tables of shipping annexed to this report
Openings for British Trade.
call for no comment-
pjp-Jk'trade of tie Bahrain Islands is to a
The following steamship Gaea call at
Moli- *n hands of Hindu, Indian Bahrain—
itvn an<* ^£rsia° merchants, who have
thus Lrf *i.n l^e3e Elands for a century and (1) British India Steam Navigation Com­
vrith lir th* greater portion of the trade is pany weekly up from Bombay and
fir* There is one British and cue German Karachi and fortnightly down to Kara­
43J y k ^ 1X1 Bahrain, and there do not chi and Bombay.