Page 20 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

12 REPORT ON TUB ADMINISTRATION OP THE

No similar Returns arc available for these year's for an estimate of
trade with Java, Singapoor, Mauritius, &c. In the year 18GG Colonel
Felly estimated the Gulf trade at £5,000,000 Sterling as follows :—

To and from Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta ... .€3,000,000
Singapoor and Mauritius 1,500,000
ICurrachee and Red Sea 500,000

Total ... €5,000,000

The famine of 1871 carrying ofE untold numbers in Persia of
course greatly affected trade for the time.

It is also to be remarked that a direct trade has sprung up between
the Gulf and England. Some information as to this latter trade and
that with Batavia may be gleaned from the Tables in the Appendices
showing particulars of the exports and imports of Bushire, &c.

Persian Coast, Bushire.—Bushire is first in commercial importance
of the sea-ports of Persia, and here reside the principal merchants.
Tables marked D., E., E. will be found attached containing the best
available information regarding tonnage of shipping and the nature
and value of the imports and exports. The various articles are shown
in alphabetical order, and the estimation arc for twelve months preced­
ing 1st January 1874. These estimates must be regarded as approxima­
tive only.
The imports are estimated at ... Rs. 46,02,925
Exports are estimated at ... „ 39,20,729
Similar tabular statements are framed
• Tables K. and 1*. will be sent bj
next mail. for Lingah and Bunder Abbass. Vide
Tables G., H., I., and J., K., L.*

Productions of South Persia. Cereals.—In the districts bordering the
sea, cereals are grown in considerable quantities and of excellent quali­
ties. In the neighbourhood of Bunder Abbass wheat is grown as fine
as any in the world, it is said. Since the famine year the export of grain
has been interdicted.

Cotton.—The export trade in cotton is stated to be capable of great
development. This was shown during the American civil war when the
export rose from next to nothing to 10U,000 bales annually. At present
owing to difficulties of transit, &c., the rate of duty is prohibitory, the
chance of profit being insufficient to induce merchants to operate. It is
considered that with greater management and facilities a largo trade
would spring up in cotton, and consequently that it would be a wise
measure for the Persian Government to reduce the export duty in this
article until improved communications are established, or even to abolish
duty. The increased export would make a proportionate return of
imports which would be the source of enhanced revenue.

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