Economic development

This file relates to economic development in the Trucial States. It contains correspondence concerning:

• Granting of a contract for a new majlis and guest house in Abu Dhabi (1)
• Exposé of a mysterious development plan for the Trucial States (particularly Sharjah) backed by Swiss-based Arabs, Gaston Cavin, Ali Hajji and Hosie, operating under the name Cavin Co-operation Limited (2)
• A R Walmsley's discussion with consulting engineering firms Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick & Partners and Sir William Halcrow & Partners Limited about their present difficulties with Sheikh Shakhbut over their town planning efforts; and Sheikh Shakhbut's reaction to their demands (3, 8)
• Opening in Dubai of the Kuwaiti Office for Aid to the Trucial Coast on 2 January 1963, the difficulty finding a director and the possibility of seeking help from international organisations. In the current financial year it includes provision for clinics in Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah; the construction of a water supply to Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain; the building of schools; and other projects (4, 7)
• Activities of Dr Abdussalam Mohammad Saeed and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf W H T Luce's expression of caution to the Ruler of Sharjah Sheikh Saqr Bin Sultan Al Qasimi regarding large-scale development plans by an unverified firm (5)
• Complaint by Cavin Co-operation that the Political Agent in Dubai has been spreading malicious lies and rumours and its threat to take the case to the International Court of Justice (6)
• Mr Maw of Engineering Projects' difficulties with Sheikh Shakhbut over an agreement to supply electricity (9)
• Sheikh Shakhbut's failure to pay the Contracting & Trading Company (CAT Company) and its right to suspend work (10)
• Collapse of Cavin Co-operation. Its main officials fled and the company sent Englishman Frank Herbert to handle the fallout (11, 17)
• Summary of expenditure and balances on the Trucial States Development Scheme (TSDS) up to the end of January 1963 and an application for a virement between two sub-heads of the Sharjah Trade School, for the purchase of a Land Rover (12)
• Aerial photographs [not enclosed] of Sharjah for the use of Halcrow & Partners (13)
• Proposed TSDS virements for which early approval is requested, including the school in Khorfakkan [Khor Fakkan], the Ras Al Khaimah Hospital and the Agricultural Trials Station; and the reasons for the Treasury's decision to decline the request for new two new medical dispensaries in the current financial year, though it is approved for 1963-64. It also discusses Kuwait's plans for clinics and hospitals throughout the Trucial States (14-16)
• Drilling rig owned by the Political Agency in Dubai on loan to Halcrow & Partners (18)
• Sheikh Shakhbut's order to cease work on the new causeway joining Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland and his determination to build his own bridge without CAT Company's help (19)
• Halcrow & Partners' complaint of Sheikh Shakhbut's interference in the construction of the distillation plant and causeway (20)