Page 520 - 6 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE 2_Neat

Transport.—Transport between the coastal towns
carried out by sailing vessels and is the -cheapest me
conveyance. Light cars can run about 280 miles up the B
coast to Kalba, but owing to lack of proper roads lorry tra
is not feasible. The only real road in the country is tin
necting Muscat with Matrah.

Trading situation.—As is shown in the accompanying
the volume of trade in 1935-6 was more valuable by
927,680 than in the previous year.
Imports. Exports. Total,
Rs. Ra. Ra.
1934- 35 - ... 3.613.716 2.561,387 6.175.™
1935- 36 ... ••• 3*837.835 3.264.948 7,102,78
Exports.—Although the total value of the exports wa
siderably greater than in 1934-5, the commercial positac
in point of fact worse. The rise in exports was caused
abnormal export of Maria Theresa dollars to the va
786,042 rupees and specie and silver krans to the va
112,400 rupees, brought about by the appreciation of thes
in terms of Rupees. The serious decline in Muscat's two
exports, dates and dried fish, is revealed by the at
table: —
Dry dates. Wet dates. Dried fish. T
Rs. Rs. Rs. j
1934-35 ••• .. 1.122,715 264.373 406,006 1,71
*935-36 ... 7*3.330 237.084 M3.785 *.<*
Decrease 409.385 27.289 262,221 6<
Lowness of prices was the cause of the decrease in the
of date exports, and the disastrous fall in dried fish exp
attributed mainly to the difficulty of trade with German}
whom it proved impracticable to conclude a barter 01
pensation agreement; unless a new outlet can be
merchants face a heavy loss on their present stocks.

Imports.—There were increased imports in 1935-6 of ti
wheat flour, tea, spices, oils and rice compared with the pi
year. Apart from these commodities other important h
are coffee and sugar; imports of soft sugar, nearly al
Java, amounted in 1935-6 to 22,146 cwts.

Prospects for United Kingdom Trade.—The larges
imported from the United Kingdom in 1935-6 was cotton
to the value of Rupees 40,550 or 5 per cent, of the d
The United Kingdom and Japan both increased the voli
their imports maintaining their shares of 5 and 66. pel

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