Page 86 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

78 REPORT ON TRADE OP THE

Muscat being entirely cut off from the interior by the hills sur-
rounding it its trade is inseparably connected with that of the neigh­
bouring town of Muttra, distant about two miles by sea, where there
is a good anchorage for country craft. It is here the caravans from the
interior concentrate, and where the Arabs chiefly obtain their requirements
in exchange for produce. The khojas and petty dealers mostly dwell
in Muttra, but the wealthy and influential Hindoo merchants, who carry
on, or control the principal commercial operations, reside in Muscat.

About ten square rigged vessels trading with India and Persian
Gulf ports are owned in Muscat besides country craft. A good part of
the trade is carried in the British India Steam Navigation Company's
line of mail steamers.

The exports of Muscat are exceeded by the imports. These are
rice, piece goods, metals, sugar, coffee, &c., &:c. The Bengal famine
has exercised a considerable influence on the market, the importation of
rice this year having been reduced thereby to about one-third of the
usual quantity.

The exports are dates, pressed and dry, grain, salt fish, salt,
shark fins, cotton, pearls, &c., &c. Dates are the principal production of
Oman, and as they form one of the staple foods of the people the annual
consumption of the country in addition to the quantity exported is enor­
mous.

The manufactures of Oman are almost confined to textile fabrics
and potteiy. The chief seat of the former industry is the province of
El Batinah whence the cloth is exported chiefly to Zanzibar and Yemen.
The potteries are at Nezwa, £1 Rostak, Muttra, &c., &c., but arc not of
much importance.

The customs farm is still in the hands of the same Hindoo firm,
that has held it for the last 200 years. The amount paid to the Sultan
for the farm for the past 12 months was 1,20,000 Dollars. This, how­
ever, includes not only the customs duties properly so called, but also
transit dues on produce from the interior, petty monopolies, &c. There
are six branches or stations of the Muscat Custom House.

There is no duty on exports. The tariff on imports is 5 per cent.
ad valorem. Transhipment duties 5 per cent. Dates are charged
Rupees 1-8 to 2-8 per camel load.
Wharfage and weighing half anna per package.
The exchange during the past year has ranged from Rupees 208 to
Rupees 224 per 100 Dollars.
The accompanying Tables show the approximate values of exports
and imports and the average tonnage of vessels. It is impossible to
obtain correct returns of the trade of this port.

(Sd.) S. B. Miles, Major,

1L B. MJs Acting FoltL Agent fy Consul, Muscat.