Page 701 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1898*00. 117

PART V.—REPORT ON THE TRADE OP MOHAMMERAH AND THE
KA.RTJN RIVER EOR THE TEAR 1899.
General. Agriculture.
Exports. Caravans.
Imports. Health.
Shipping. Bander Naari.
Table Statistics.
Exchange Keans 52=£1

General.
After the first few months which were affected by the failure of crops in
the previous year there was a general improvement in trade, which would have
bean greater had the embargo on the export of grain not been enforced.
Exports.
77hect.—The total export shows a great decrease owing to the absence of
wheat; a email quantity was forwarded to Basrah by native craft, the amount
of which is not ascertainable.
Ghi ar.d tcscl.—Owing to scarcity of fodder and cold there was no ghi
for export, and the supply of wool was of inferior quantity and not suitable
for the London market.
Gv.m.—The supply of gum was good and a large quantity remains to be
shipped.
Dates.—In April there was a demand for dates for the Persian Gulf
Ports and prices rose 50 per cent,, the amount being shipped by native craft is
not obtainable.
Specie.—There was a further decrease of specie shipments to India, the
increasing scarcity of rupees necessitating remittance by draft. Shipments of
specie to Gulf Ports are chiefiy on account of the Provincial Government.

Imports.
Cotton goods.—The increase in local imports is nearly entirely ia cotton
goods, chiefly due to petty traders on the Shat-el-Arab and from Hawizeh
buying their supplies in Mohammerah, where the trade is in the hands of a
native firm importing at a low rate of duty.
These goods are nearly all imported from Manchester either direct or
via Bombay ; the principal demand is, as previously reported, for grey shirt­
ings (8tb and 9R)) ; prints, soft finish; tanjebs ; printed jaconet; lappets; imi­
tation Turkey red; imitation Syrian; and in addition thia year for white
shirting soft finish, principally for re-shipment to Shuahter.
Matches.—Matches show an increase of thirty per cent, due to spread
of use. They are all of Swedish manufacture.
Bice.—The imports of rice are entirely for re-shipment to Koweit in
Turkish Arabia.
Karun imports.—There was an increase in trade to the Karan porta
chiefly from India due to increased prosperity and increased enterprise on part
of the Shushter traders.
Sugar.—Sugar, especially loaf, showed an increase, there being a demand
for this from the tribes near Shushter and Dizful; though principally French
beet, there were some consignments of Egyptian cane sugar, and endeavour to
introduce this is being made.

Shipping.
i ^®‘7"Seventeen steamers called from London, Manchester, and Marseil­
les and eight for Marseilles or London of the Anglo-Arabian and Persian
oteam Navigation Company, and of Bueknall Brothers.
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