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RESIDENCY AND UTJ80AT miHOAX. AGENCY *0» 1W8-8* 49

Paet IV.—MUSCAT TRADE REPORT FOR THE TEAR 1888-89.

The trade returns for tlie year 1888*89 have been, furnished by the Cus­
toms House. They cannot be relied on as accurate.
Total imports for the year were 1,857,2705, showing a decrease from last
year of 5,125$. Total exports amounted to 1,403,1005 showing a decrease of
37,685$ from last year. The chief falling-off among the imports was in rice
from Bengal, dates and salt from the Persian Gulf, and cotton goods from
South Arabia and Africa, while the chief articles imported in excess of the
previous year were coffee and cotton eloth from India, and pearls from the
Persian Gulf. Imports from India were 17,250$ in excess of those during
1887-88, the decrease in the total value being chiefly d.uq to a considerable, dimi­
nution of articles from the Persian Gulf.
The value of imports from the United States was less by 8,600$ than the
previous year, being 62,600$, as against 61,200$.
Among exports the chief increase over last year’s figures occurs in dates
and cotton fabrics, while there was a considerable reduction in the amounts of
rice, salt and kerosine oil leaving the port.
The oustoms were farmed by Ratansee Purshatam* last year's holder of the
contract*
TF. STRATTON, Lieutenant,
27. B. Political Agent and Consul, Muscat.