Page 514 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

42 ADMINISTRATION REPOST ON TIIE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Part IV.—TRADE REPORT POR MASK AT, 1903-1904.

The total value of trade for the year according to the figures furnished
by ITis Highnoss the Sultan’s Customs Superintendent, is returned at
6,390,420 dollars as against 5,711,930 dollars of the last year, showing an
increaso of G78,470 dollars. This amount represents an increment of §075,145
on tho import side and §3,325 on the oxport.
The imports exceed tho exports by 1,371,100 dollars, and it would appear,
therefore, that the balance of trade is against tho country to this extent. This,
however, is not the case, for owing to its geographical position and facility for
call of steamers from Europe, ilashat serves as a port of entry for certain
goods such ns arms and ammunition, sugar, and piece goods, which are again
exported to the Persian Gulf ports and about 30 per cent, of the sugar
imported is despatched to Cutch and Kathiawar in India. The Customs
authorities keep no record of this re-exportation, there being no duty leviable
in it, and tho figures given in the Return are consequently only approximate
to the real exports of the country.
Tho last year’s Return showed an increase over that of the previous year
of $203,747 on the import side; and this year’s imports again give an increase
over the last year’s of §675,145 or 21 per cent. This increase is shared as
follows:—
§
United Kingdom . . , 259,316
Fiance . . • . . 204,231
America . . . . . 01,300
India • • • • . 78,105
Persia................................... 2,720
Other countries . • . 103,750
Russia • • . • • 105,500
( Turkey in Asia shows decrease §7,930]

There had been no imports from Russia hitherto.
Tho chief items which contribute to the increase are
9
Arms and ammunition 427,000
Cereals . . 41.200
Rice . - 92.200
Sugar • 72,000
Piece goods 40.200
Oil, etc. . 8.300
Ghee 4.300
Articles, not specified 19,400

There is a great falling off in the imports of coffee and specie, both
of these were noticed in the last vear’a Return as showing an abnormal
increase.
In the year 1902-1903, the increase of exports over the previous year**
amounted to §865,439, and the year under review gives an increase of only
8,325 dollars over the past year's experts. Fruits, fish, dried limes, and
miscellaneous articles contributed to the increase, but there is a falling off of
$169,450 in the value of export of dates owin'* to drought and consequent
scanty harvest of date produce in the interior, and also of §39,900 in the Vftlu*
of mother-o -pearl, pearls, and salt