Page 135 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

Part IV.—TRADE REPORT FOR MASKAT FOR 1899-1900.

The total trado for the year, including specie, ia returned at $4,134,020
as against $42,89,600 for the preceding year, showing a decrease of $155,680.
If we exclude specie, regarding which reliable figures are not procurable, there
being no duty upon it, the decrease would he reduced to $107,580 according
to information derived from the chief trading and banking firms in Afaakat.
Imports.
Excluding specie, of which there is a decrease of $20,000, the value of the
import trade shows an increase of $28,520 as compared with the preceding
year. This, is due chiefly to the Arms Trade with England in which there has
been a considerable increase on last year’s figures.
Cereals, ghee and twist and yarn from Persia and wheat from Asiatic
Turkey also contributed to the increase, while all the articles of import from
India show a great falling off, amounting in all to $304,300 chiefly appearing
under the head of Bengal rice, cereals and oils of all kinds. This decline is
attributed to famine and consequent high prices in Indi^
Exports.
The exports show a decrease of $164,100 or excluding specie of $136,100.
"While there is a slight increase in mother o’pearls, and pearls to India and
specie to Persia, there is a great decline in all the articles of export; dates
which form the chief article of trade at Uaskat made their way hut slpwly to
the coast towns owing to the prevalence of cholera and plague, and conse­
quently a large stock remained with the producers at the end of the year.
The same cause contributed to the decline in fish,'fruit and specie to India and
cotton fabrics to Zanzibar.
Customs.
A marked feature in the history of the llaskat Customs Administration
is that this year the Sultan instead of farming out the customs as usual retained
them under his own immediate control from the month of November 1899,
when the Farm fell in.

P. Z. COX, Captain,
Political Agent and Eer Britannic Hajeity'e Consul,
Matkat.

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