Page 13 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

No. 332, 4a 1*1 Masqat, the 2nd Julj 1907.
From—MLuox W. G. Gasr, Political Agont and His BriUnnio Majesty'« Consul*
Maskat,
To—'The Under Secretary to tbs Government of India in Iho Foreign Departraont,
Simla.
I liavo tho honour to submit herewith the Annual Report on tho Traces of
Maskat for tho you 1906-07, copies of which hayo been forwarded to tho Political
Itosident in tho Persian Gulf, and to tho Undor 8ecrotary of Stato for Foreigh.
Affairs, Foreign Office, London.

Retort oh the Trade op Mask-at for 1906-07.
Total Trade.—The total valuo of trade for tho'year according to tho figure
furnished by the Superintendent of the Sultan's Customs is returned at Rs.
1,06,15,195 a9 against Rs. 82,49,930 in tho previous year/showing an increase
of Its. 23.65,265 or over 28 per cent. This happy resulf-is attributed to the
unpreccdental crop of dates, the main industry of the country; and- to tho
increased production of other items of oxport such as fish,, limes, pearls and
mother of pearl. This general increase enabled tho poople to buy foreign goods
and gave an impetus to tho Import Trade.
Imports.—Tho total valuo of imports including specio amounts to Bs.
G9,21,375 as against Rs. 55,79,180 in the previous year, showing an increase of
Rs. 13,42,195 or 24 per cent. Tho following itoms contribute to the increase
Arms and ammunition Rs. 6,10,695 or an iucreaso of 56 per cent-; Rice Rs.
5.62.500 or 30 per cent; Coffee Rs. 46,700 or 29 per cent; Oil of all
hinds Rs 50,500 or 51 per cent; Sugar Rs. 80,000 or 69 per cent, and Piece-
goods Ra. 79,500 or 10 per cent While tho following articles show doorcase
Wheat and other grains Rs. 81,000 or 29 per cent; Silk and silk goods Rs.
2.12.500 < r 50 per cent, and Misccllanoeus articles Rs. 35,200 or 9 per cont.
Belgium now takes the lead in the traffic of arms and ammunition. The
percentages are Belgium 43*1, England 46*6 and France 5*3. Almost the
whole quantity of arms and ammunition imported during 1906-07 has already
been re-oxported
Tho falling off in tho import of wheat from Persia is duo to an increased
demand for rice instead of wheat, Tho value of the latter is Rs. 80,00) from
Persia as against Rs. 2,25,000 in the preceding year. There is however a
slight rise in other grains from India and Turkey in Asia. The fall in ghee is
attributed to the good rainfall last year which afforded pasturage for cattle and
thereby caused increase in dairy produce. Decrease is noticeable in 6ilk and
silk grods which is due to a large stock remaining in hand from the previous
year’s import (which was then noticed as unprecedentedly large), and also to the
importa'ion this year of an inferior quality of raw silk from India.
A new feature in the trade is the import of Kcrosine oil from the United
States of America which has displaced the Russian oil, tho only commodity
hitherto sent by Russia to this country.
With the exception of arms and ammunition and a small quantity of wine,
spirits, oilman’s stores and some 2,00*) bags of sugar from France, there is no
direct trade with Europe, nor is there with America with tho exception of. some
800 bales of piece-goods and the off referred to above.
Exports.—The total valuo of exports come to Rs. 36,93,820 against Rs
26,70,750 in the preceding year, showing an increise of Rs. 10,23,070 or 38 per
cent.N It must he noted here that the figures of exports given by the Custom*
Superintendent arc only approximate as there is no record of the merchandise
leaving tbe country for it is not compulsory on the exporter to take out a
manifest from the Customs Office.
All items of export show nn increase except fruit, the production of which
vr«s largo but the growers could not 6afcly bring their produce to the Coast
towns for export, owing to hostilities which were being carried on by the Local
Government against tho Bani Riyara, in whoso country most of the fruit ia
I