Page 14 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

grown. A small amount only was brought to market by the friondly tribes of
tho neighbourhood* Tho following articles show a largo incrcaso :— *
Dales Rs. 5,52,500 ; Fish Its. 50,700 ; Limes Fa. 53,000 ; Pearls JU.
77,500 ; Mother of pearl Rs. 20,400; Specie Rs. 1,22,500 and Miccllancoun
articles Rs. 08,000.
Operations havo not yet been undertaken by 'tho Sponge Explomtion
Syndicate to whom reference was made in last year’s report.
Shijre of Trade.—Tho percentages of tho total trade of Maskat as it^ards
tho various nations aro as follows
America f ... 4 6
Belgium ••• ... 7*5
Franca ... ... 11
India ... • M ... CC-1
Peraia ... • •• ... 70
Turlcey in Asia M ... 4-a
Zanzibar • ++ • •• • •• ... 0-3
UL'.tod Kingdom ... •— Ht ... 7*5
Other Countries ... • •• • • • •• ... 10
Exchange.—Exchange between Dollars and Rupees varied throughout tho
year from Rs. 151} to Rs. 170} per 100 dollars. The increases noticed in the
import and export of specie may be attributed partly to trade and prtly to
exchange fluctuation. Tho following is tho monthly average rate of exchange
for the past two years.

Per $ 10*
Hoolh-
jyo^os. 19X-07.
■ Rupees. Rupees.
April • •• • •• 133 151}
May • •• 137} 161}

June «•« 136} 157
July ••• 138} 157
August ... ••• 139} 176}
September 140} 167}
October MS 142} 176}
November m. ... • M M. 142 166}
December ... 145 ITU
Januaiy .M MS • •• 147 166
February .M 160 161}

March ... ••• 152} 160}

Shipping.—The number of vessels that entered the Maskat harbour was 695,
representing a tonnage of 613,215 tons as against 707 with tonnage of 680,324
tons in 1005*06, thus giving & decrease of 12 vessels but on increase of 32,891
tonnage for tho year under review. It will be noticed that the number of sailing
resscls is decreasing yearly and that of steam ship increasing.
2

_