Page 260 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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A branch of the Agricultural Bank was oponed in Shiraz in the month nf
May to assist growers. 01
The Agricultural departments took measures to promote the cultivation
ot cotton and beetroot.
Colton Spinning Mill.—The Shiraz Cotton Spinning Mill of 3,200 spindles
machinery by Platt & Co. of Oldham, motor and electrical equipment by the’
(rcncrnl Electric Company and Metropolitan Vickers, to which two power
engines bv Mirelcss are to be added shortly, began work in May 1934 under
a British mill mannger.
Mr. Hussein Agar (’Etemad-ul-Tujar), formerly a merchant of Manchester
is the chairman of the board of directors and the moving spirit in the venture!
The output of the mill was quickly disposed of for several months in advance!
The undertaking has proved so profitable that it is proposed to increase the
number of spindles.
Full output has been handicapped by the lack of suitable labour.
The construction of a second mill was being seriously considered at the
end of the year by one of the leading local industrialists.
Sufjar refinery.—The promise of Government.to endow this Province with
a Sugar factory materialised in the summer when work upon the buildings
started on a site at Marvdasht, near the waters of the Bandi-i-Amir, on the
Shiraz-Pcrsepolis road.
In the autumn it was found that the Agricultural Department was unable
to complete the building owing to the incompetence, etc., of the officials and a
contract for the work was given to Swedish public works contractors in the
capital.
The machinery is to be supplied by the Skoda Works and is due in the
spring, via the Caspian. The contract provided for despatch via Bushire but
it was found that some of the parts were too heavy and too bulky for road trans­
port from that port.
The prospects of this factory are dependent upon the successful growing
of the beetroot in the Province, a cultivation upon which there is little practical
experience and knowledge at the present. The actual cost of production is
estimated to be from 200 per cent, to 300 per cent, greater than the price at
which sugar of Continental manufacture can be offered c. i. f. Bushire.
Trade.—The import trade of Shiraz was stagnant throughout the year
owing to the restrictions governing commerce and • the fears of the further
monopolisation (or the farming-out to groups of merchants in the capital) of
the import of other commodities.
The decision of Government to develop the port of Band-i-Shahpur and
the Ahwaz and Mohammerah routes to the N. at the expense of the port of
Bushire and the route via Shiraz became apparent in the allocation of the
Customs import quotas.- It is realised that if the project can be carried
through the port of Bushire will serve solely to feed Shiraz and the district,
whilst the Isfahan and other northern markets will be lost.
Japanese piece goods succeeded in wresting the premier position from the
Soviets. Merchants have been very dissatisfied with the business methods
of both countries in reducing quotations immediately upon the sale of a large
consignment.
The Japanese manufacturer has secured the market for other commodities.
A quotation for the supply of electric lighting bulbs at 80 per cent, below the
price of those of British and Continental make was received by the Fars
Electric Lighting Company.
The export market has seen better conditions with sales of skins and gum.
Prices ruling for lambskins in London at the end of the year have made further
shipments impossible but the Russians have continued to purchase steadi y
throughout the year.
Good quantities of gum trangancanth have gone forward to the L0™1™’
American. Russian and other European markets and Japanese purchases
towards the end of the year gave a strong tone to the market.