Page 623 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 188940. 80

The carpet trade receives more attention from, European exporters than
formerly, and the manufacture in certain districts
Carpet*. is controlled by European supervision, with good
results.
The stimulation of the trade in Persian gum which was mentioned in my
report for 1888, has been arrested in consequence
Gobi.
of larger supplies of good qualities being obtain­
able in Egypt and the Soudan. The Persian article has been scarcely inquired
for.
JPearUJUherieo.
The Arab population of the shores of the Persian Gulf and its islands look
forward to the period of diving operations (about 100 days of the hot season)
as the- chief event of the year. To them the pearl-take is their harvest, and
in this all classes, from Chiefs to domestic slaves, are personally interested.
During recent years these “ harvests ” have been abundant, whilst at the same
time prices of pearls have been rising. Consequently there is a visible increase
in the prosperity of the Arabs of this littoral, and larger vessels are built than
of yore. I reckon that in round numbers nearly 2,000 boats of all sizes are
engaged on the pearl banks from the Pirate Coast, from Bahrain say 1,500 and
from El-Katr, Koweit, &c., about 1,000—a total of 4,500 boats. It is not an
excessive estimate to suppose that 80,000 men are thus employed. The take
of pearls in 1889 about equalled that of the preceding year.
Tonnage and freights.
During the first part of the year, whilst exportation of grain continued,
there was a moderate demand for tonnage in London, but later, the prohibition
on the export of grain, coupled with the outbreak of cholera in Bussorah, limited
the quantity of cargo obtainable. Freights ranged from 30s. to 35s. at Bushire
during the grain export operation.
Exchange.
Exchange on London varied from 34J to 36 kerans per pound sterling,
and was not subject to any violent fluctuations. Kerans fluctuated from 230
to 252 per one hundred rupees.
Banking Agencies,
The branch of the new Oriental Bank Corporation in Bushire is reported
to have done a fair business.
The Imperial Bank of Persia opened at the capital is about to establish
branches in other towns including Bushire, buying out the OrientaL

Opening of the Karun Biver route.
Considerable progress has been made on the Karun, and the relation*
between the commercial agents and Persian officials and people are muoh
improved. A suitable river steamer is now on the upper river, and a company
has been formed to construct roads for wheeled carriage and bridges from the
Karun to Ispahan and Tehran.

Impediments and requirements.
In the first of this series of reports (for the year 1873), as well aa in sub*
sequent trade reports, allusions have been made to the difficulties whioh are
experienced by foreign merchants carrying on business in Persia generally, and
to certain measures which seemed requisite in order to place British and British
Indian trade in the Bouth of Persia on a fairer footing.