Year book of motion pictures (1951)

distributors in Singapore for 1950 amounted to about 80 per cent for each company. Ten per cent of the p:a.ving: time, specifically 7 days out of each 70-day period, must be devoted to British films. TH.MLAXD (SI.4M) — No import permits are letiuired for films imported into Thailand. The Foreign Exchang-e Board which had authority over the tran.sfer of foreign exchange was dissolved at the beginning of 1948. Foreign exchange for the purpose of importing films may be obtained at the open market rate which in January 1951 was about 2'Z baht to the dollar compared with the official rale of 12.50 baht to the dollar. ADEN — Import permits are required for all goods originating outside the sterling area. Aden, as a British Crown Colony, has regulations which state that no import permits will be granted for goods from Western Hemisphere countries except for articles which cannot be obtained from the sterling area or from European sources and the purchase of which cannot be deferred without serious loss to the community. IRAN — Foreign exchange may not be taken out of the country without the permission of the Foreign Exchange Commission. This is one obstacle to the establishment of U. S. film distribution agencies in Iran. U. S. film companies sell the distribution rights to their films for a specified period of time with the stipulation that the films shall be destroyed at the end of that period. Payment is made at the legal selling rate (former free market rate) which at the close of 1950 was 48.75 rials to the dollar as compared with the official rate of 33 rials to the dollar. IRAQ — Since 1947, the Directorate General of Imports has allocated the sum of $200,000 yearly for the importation of United States motion piclures. For 1950 this amount was divided among 8 firms to purchase U. S. films and each firm was authorized to enter into a contract with one of eight specified United States producers. Permits are required to import films into Iraq whether the transaction is outright purchase of the film or a joint-account percentage rental arrangement. ISR.AEL — No quotas or contingent measures exist for the distribution and exhibition of motion pictures in Israel. The scarcity of dol'.ar exchange may tend to restrict the volume of business of United States distributors. In principle, no importation of any article is granted unless foreign exchange for payment of such article is available. For U. S. motion pictures, however, an agreement was made in June 1949 whereby the importation of film prints was secured, leaving the question of dollar transfers for later negotiation. No dollar remittances are permitted for film royalties. LEBANON — Import permits are required. Foreign exchange problems still plague United States companies endeavoring to remit their dollars. The only source of foreign exchange is the open oi free market at rates considerably higher than the official rate of exchange. SYKI.A — In March 1950 the Syro-Lebanese Customs was dissolved and a rather confused situation resulted. In general, the distribution of U. S. films prior to this time was handled by Lebanese distributors with headquarters in Beirut. The Syrian Government has established an independent customs service and has begun to levy duties on goods imported from Lebanon. The general policy of the present Syrian Government is to get Sj'rian trade into the hands of Syrians. Another basic policy ol the Government is to reduce Syria's unfavorable balance of trade. A system of important licensing has been in effect for several years and is currently being tightened up. Dollars for the importation of fi ms must be purchased on the free market at a premium amounting to about 50 per cent of the official rate. The free purchasing rate of dollar instruments in Syria in December 1950 was about ■iAi) Syrian pounds to the dollar compared to the official rate of 2.30 Syrian pounds to the dollar. ANUARIO CINEMATOGRAFICO Y RADIAL CUBANO Una publicacion que engrandece a\ giro. Pedro Pablo Chavez, Consulado 157 Editor Habana, Cuba 730