Page 356 - 1 Persian Trade rep Bahrain 1_Neat

2

Effects of JF’ar.—In comparison with 1015-1G, which was also a war-year
trrulo in general and the p-earl trade* in particular shows a decided improvement
I he dislocation of steamship service, owing to so many ships of the British
India Steam Navigation Company, Limited, and of other Comj anics having
been taken o(T the run, and the severe restrictions imposed in India on the
export of merchandise, greatly enhanced the prices of all articles during the
year under report. Owing to restrictions on the export of specie from India,
the pearl merchants experienced difficulties in obtaining funds for the purchase
of pearls, and began, in lieu of specie, to import piece goods, rice and coffee, by
the sale of which they put themselves in funds. Hence the increase in the
import of piece goods by £195,6S0, rice by .616,701 and coffee by £17,100 as
compared with the year 1915-16.
A large quantity of currency notes also were imported by passengers on
their persons and exchanged in Bahrain for silver at a loss of 5 per cent.
The pearl market improved greatly during the year under report and the
prices obtained were about 30 per cent., higher than those ruling in 1915-16,
exports of pearls showing a value of .6 T61,400, as compared with £184,156 in
the previous year; and there was still a large demand for pearls in the United
States and India itself in spite of the war. Pearls were also finding their way
to the Japanese market.
Opening for British Trade.—The trade of the Bahrain Islands is to a
Large extent in the hands of Hindu and Indian Muhammadan merchants who
have had business connections with the Islands for over a century, and far the
greater portion of the trade is with India. Messrs. Gray, Paul and Company,
the Agents of the British India S:eam Navigation Company, Limited, is the
only British firm. The absence c-f direct communication with the United
Kingdom still handicaps British trade.
Customs.—The tariff is fixed by treaty at 5 per ceuL, ad valorem on all
imports, including transhipment cargo, and at the present time the Customs’
work is being carried on for the Ruler of Bahrain by an Indian (Hindu) firm,
a member of which acts as the Director.
Enquiries regarding Trade.—The Political Agent will be Tery glad to
answer any enquiries regarding trade from British firms in any part of the
Empire. Such enquiries should be sent through the Commercial Intelligence
Branch of the Board of Trade, Londoa, or the Director General of Commercial
Intelligence, Calcutta, as may be more convenient Time would probably be
saved by addressing the latter official, as information on most ordinary subjects
is available in his records.
Shipping and communication.—Shipping has been completely disorganised
by the war and the regular mail service has been abandoned.
Only 40 vessels entered the port, as compared with 49 in 1915-16 and a
normal number of 86,
Calls have been made as follows:—

Call* om.
Same of lisa.
Up T«g age. Down voyage.

British India St«m Navigation Company 17 9
Bombaj Persia Steam Navigation Company, Limited 4

Persian Gulf Steam Navigation Company • 14 4
Abad Line* • •••-••• 4 % • ••
S. 8. Singaporean ..................................................... 1

• ^ ntw Eiw tlirltd in Bosnia/ by Mirza UnJitoutd SLiiaxi.
f Chartered for aingle voyage by Pcraiaa norcbanla.