Page 28 - 1 Persian Trade rep Bahrain 1_Neat

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that in previous yoars lias been simply shown ns imported from India in British
India 8tcam Navigation Company’s ships has oomo really from Europe, including
Germany in a considerabledogroo, being transhipped in Bombay. A greater
effort will be made in next yoar’a report to afford moro accurately this Interest­
ing information.
Neither of the Ere nob speculators in pearls who camo to Bahrain in
1906 rc-appenred this year, but their placo woa taken by two representatives of
the Parisian firm of Messrs Victor Rosenthal ct Frftres who have a permanent
Agency in Bombay. These gontlemcn aro understood to havo spent about
Bs. 1,87.000 (£1*1,1 >0) on pearls In Bahrain, and vaguo rumours, which havo
subsequently reached the islands from Paris, hint at their having lost money
over their purchases in spite of tho fact that their transactions were conducted
with coqaidorable caution and deliberateness.
Thero is reason to bcliovo that the firm will make another ofTort this year
to compete in the trade*.
Detailed comments on some of the more important items of tho trade ar^
given bdow.it being first stated that money was more than usually plentiful,
generally, at the commencement of the year, thanks to tho excellence of the
pearl and date-crops of 1905
(a) Coffee.—Tho increase in imports was due to the price in Europo
having fallen at the commencement of the year ; and merchants
were al-o, later on, quick to take advantage of the cheapor rates
of freight charged by tho llnrahurg-Amcrica Lino. The stocks
on hand at the close of tho year wero considerable.
(&) Piece-goods.—The previous year’s imports had been deficient, and
the general prosperity created a strong demand. 12 new shops
were opened during the year in the Manama Bazaar by Hindus
and Persians trading in tlil3 line.
(c) Tarn and heist.—A. general over-hauling of boat-gear was effected
by the owners of pearl-boats ia consequence, of their enhanced
earnings of the previous year.
(d) Dales.—The increase in imports and exports was due to the crops
both on the mainland and in Bahrain being particularly good.
(e) Dice.—The decrease in imports was due to the unproccdcntly large
importation reforred to in Inst year’s report. Prices were ruling
high in Calcutta, and merchants only imported to satisfy urgent
requirements.
(/) Kero sine oil —The increased import was duo to the American
Standard Oil Company discharging 30,000 cases in one consign*
znent There was a considerable stock on band at the end of the
year, although tho quantity sold considerably exceeded tho con­
sumption of previous years.
(g) Other oils.—The increase in imports consisted of fish oil received
from Alukalla for application to tho boats.
(A), Pearls.—The largo decrease in imports was duo to the pearls from
the banks near the Trucial Oman Coast not being sent for sale iir
Bahrain, presumably on account of the excellent local'harvest,
and also to none of tho previous season's poarla having been,
brought back from Bombay. A keener competition amongst the
Arab wholesale merchants appreciated the price of tho now taker
most inordinately, thus accounting for the increased valno, accord­
ing to the estimation of the shippers, of tho oxports.
(t) Provisions.—Tho increased import consisted largely of vermicelli,
preserves and confectionery introduced from Europe.
(/) Tea.—Tho increased imports and exports were due to unpreoedontr
ly Large stocks having been obtained from India for transiup-
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