Page 192 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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Imperial Bank of Persia.—Mr. A. Chnmpan, Malinger of the Imperial Bank
of Persia, who was suffering with malaria and suspected tuberculosis was taken
on board II.M.S. “ Bidcford ” and sent to Baghdad for treatment.
Mr. J. Donaldson, who had arrived from Bushire, closed down the Imperial
Bank of Persia on the 30th August and returned to Bushirc.
After closing down of the Imperial Bank of Persia, the local branch of the
Persian National Bank have been attempting 1o monopolise the exchange
market and in certain cases have openly warned the managers of the British
Indian firm of Mcnghraj Lila ram against effecting exchange transaction with
parties other than the National Bank, threatening to break off business relations
and closing their current account. As this British Indian firm is one of the
chief exporting parties and is always selling drafts on India it is often pre­
ferred by the local merchants for business transactions on account of its more
favourable rates and easier terms than those offered by the National Bank,
who insist on receiving payments in advance.
The selling quotations of the Bank on London and Bombay were as fol­
lows :—
London.. .. Highest .. Rials 98-70 per £1.
Lowest 77-00 „ n.
Average 85-40 „ £1.
Bombay .. Highest 742-65 „ Rs. 100.
Lowest 5G5-00 „ Rs. 100.
Average 661-65 „ Rs. 100.
Red Oxide of Iron.
Harmuz Island.—5,560 tons of ore was shipped by British vessels during
the year under report to the following countries :—
Tons.
India 1,985
New York 1,500
England 1,000
Germany 1,000
France 75
Total 5,560

Trade and Commerce.
Bandar Abbas.—-The trade of Bandar Abbas during the year under review
was, as in the past years, very limited. The majority of so-called merchants
here, are all clearing and forwarding agents of the business houses at Yezd and
Kerman. As there is no import of useful commodities from foreign lands, owing
to monopoly Law restrictions, there is practically no business.
Since July, the Russians, owing to their unfair dealings, have been removed
from the marked by the Persian Government for the supply of sugar. And
instead the Persian Government themselves import sugar for trade purposes.
This scheme has in no way benefitied the merchants.
The Russians have closed their show of Venishtorg and Persian merchants
to a certain extent have appreciated 'the work of their Government for having
ousted the Russians from the market.
But the Japanese have taken advantage in the Persian markets of this
occurrence, although at present they are busy only with pieccgoods which have
captured the Persian markets as the quality is better than that of the Russian.
Shipping and Navigation.
Bandar Abbas.—104 steam ships of all nationality aggregating 209,478 tons
entered and cleared the port during the year. Of these, 100 vessels with a total
tonnage of 196,259 were under the British flag ; Russia was represented by the
Soviet Mercantile Fleet of which 1 ship with a total tonnage of 4,515 entered
and cleared the port, 2 vessels of the German Ilansa line with a total tonnage
of 8,704 entered and cleared the port.