Page 618 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

ADMINISTRATION BBPOBT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL
84.
Tea.—The importation of tea, though showing an improvement of nearly
60 per oent. on that of the previous year, has not quite regained the position it
occupied in 1596. The revival is due partly to Indian tea continuing to grow
in favor with the internal and northern markets and, if well pushed, it is
likely to supersede altogether the more expensive sorts of China and Jar*
teas. After India, those two countries in the order given supplied the greatest
quantities of the commodity.
Timber and Wood.—Bad times affected building operations. Consequently
the reduced demand for the materials caused the imports to bo 10 per cent,
less tran those of last year.
Woollen Good*.—There was an advance of 70 per cent, in the imports of
woollen fabrics. The increase was principally in broad cloths, which are finding
much favour with tho wealthy classes in the northern and central districts of
Pereia, and they appear to bo able to compete successfully with similar
materials of Russian manufacture imported from the north. The principal
supplying countries were Great Britain, Germany, France, and Austria, British
manufacturers should watch the Persian markets, as tho trado in these
fabrics is likely to expand.
Shawls from India also showed a substantial improvement

EXPORTS.

that year 'that exporters from Persia experienced heavy losses, from the effects
of which they have not recovered. The export to India consequently has not
regained its former condition.
Arne and Ammunition.—'The reason for the disappearance of this trade is
the same as dveD under the same heading intbe “ Imports/* Ihe weapons
exported from Bushire, valued at Bs. 600, were swords, daggers, and spear­
heads of native make intended for Turkish Arabia.
Cotton.—A further decline in this export has occurred in 1598. The
causes appear to be a greater local consumption, a partial failure of the
crop, and an increasing export to Russia, where better prices for this commod­
ity are obtainable than in India.
j)a(e8 — Short crops and high prices ruling locally curtailed the demacd
for dates on the Arab coast, but the exports to India from Bushire were
nearly doubled. On the whole there was a declineof 13 percent, in the export?.
Almond*.—The shipments to India of this nut and its keinal showed a
great improvement. Exports to other countries considerably decreased, and
on the whole there was an advance of 37 per cent, over 1S97.
Wheat.—The grain exported, as was also the case in the previous year,
nearly all went to other Persian ports where prices were still higher. The
large import* made by Lingah from foreign countries enabled her to supply
the greatest quantity.
Gum.—-High prices offering in India and London encouraged larger
exports, which show an increase of 37 per cent. India, on this occasion, was the
bigsest consumer taking 69 per cent, of the total quantity shipped and the
United Kingdom coming next with 36 per cent. Keen competition amongst the
dealers left little profit to be made in this article. 1
Sides and 51-ms —The restrictions imposed by foreign countries on the
importation of these articles from India, whence it is said the Persian imports
are re exported to Europe, decreased the demand, and a decline of Rs 50,390
was the result. *
Opivm.—Thtsupply of Persian opium has been short of the demand
and prices obtained in Hong-kong and London were remunerative. It is said
to be much' « Formosa. The year’s transactions show a decrease
of Rs. 2,03,900. The shortage is probably due to failure of the cultivations
in Kerman and increased overland traffic with Afghanistan.