Page 448 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

4

REPORT

OF THE
ECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE PERSIAN GULF, 0
April, 1929.

I. COMMERCIAL SUMMARY.

GeneraL—This report deals with that part of the Persian Gulf where
Consular or Political Officers who are directly under the orders of the Political
Resident and Consul-General at Bosh ire are stationed. The ports of Basrah
and Mohammerah are not included.
Statistics have been reduced to a minimum, but the value of trade in
pounds sterling for the years 1926-27 and 1927-28 is analysed for each port.
Statistics for the year 1928-29 arc not available at the time of writing, but a
review of events in the latter year which are likely to affect trade has been
given.
Currency.—In the Arab States of the Southern Gulf Coast the Indian
rupee is the usual monetary unit for all trade transactions with foreign coun­
tries. In Persia the monetary unit is the hr an which in 1926-27 had an average
value of 49*47 to the pound sterling and in 1927-28, 48*70.
Weights and Measures.—On the Arab side of the Gulf a very large
number of different weights and measures arc in nse, but the English and
Indian Measures of weight arc normally used for trade with foreign countries.
In Persia the unit of weight is the Batman which \aries slightly in different
towns but the so-called Tabriz Batman of 6*5464 lbs. is the most used. 1 (Ml
Batmans equal one Kharvar and 3 Kharvars equal approximately one short
ton, while 3J equal approximately one ton.
Steamship Services.—The British India Steam Navigation Company
runs a weekly fast mail between Bombay and Basrah, leaving Bombay on
Fridays, Karachi on Sundays, Bashire on Wednesdays, and Mohammerah on
Thursdays. Ships arrive at Basrah on Thursdays and leave on Saturdays
for the return voyage. The weekly slow mail service leaves Bombay on
Wednesdays for Karachi, Muscat, Bandar Abbas, Henjam, Lingah, Bahrain.
Bashire, Kuwait, Mohammerah and Basrah, and calls alternate weeks either
at Gwadur, Jask and Dubai or at Pasni and Charbar. The time taken.
Bombay to Basrah, is 14 days. Rates of freight ran be obtained on applica­
tion to Messrs. Madrinnon, Mackenzie & Co., Bombay.
The Stride Line of Steamers maintains an irregular bi-monthly service of
cargo steamers between the United Kingdom and Bandar Abbas, Bashire.
Abadan, Mohammerah and Basrah, sometimes calling at tbe Arab Coast
ports.
The German Hansa Line maintains an irregular monthly service from
Hamburg to the Gulf Ports.
An occasional vessel of the Indian Line known as the Persian Golf Steam
Navigation Company, calls at the intermediate Gulf Ports.