Page 142 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

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competing with llio c-ils «. f the Standard Oil EXPORT.
Company.
Sugar.—Th're is a readable ir.crease under Total export for the year amounts to IK-|f»,22 IflS
soft iiigar of Its. 91,6*8. It is all Java sugar •v> against I*s. 13,55,816 <.f the previous ve.ir
and is imported from India. No loaf sugar was showing a nett increase cf Ks. 1,00,307 or 3* -Cr
imported during the year for reasons unknown hut cent. The exports by stcarn vessels have iim.rired
is just possible that loaf sugar was shown as sugar to the extent of Its. 5,4V, 179 or 13 yve cent, over
in the steamer manifests. It appears that loaf last year's figures;on the other hand the export by
sugar used ti be smuggled into Persia by Persian ending vessels has suffered a los3 of Its. 3,7.x ’.22
array buyers who no longer visit Muscat in cou- or 72 per cent. Tliis large drop w entirely arrxin-
sequence of the establishment of the arms ware­ ted for by the loss suffered under “bar silv-r"
house and the demand for loaf sugar has there­ the export of which has amounted to Its. VO 000
fore ceased. only as against Rs. 3,85,000 of the previous Vcar
or roughly about SC per cent. Measures taken to
Vermicelli.—Imports under this head have im­ check smuggling “ bar silver " seem to have had
proved and the year's imports amount to Its. 10,119 a very good effect on the whole.
as against Rs. 5,030 of the previous year showing
an increase cf Its. 11,089 or 320 percent. Most of Arms and Ammunition.—The export of the rear
what appears in these returns was imported from has amounted to Rs. 5,09,321 as against
Aden. It is Austrian produce and is consumcrd Rs. 6-1,612 of the previous year. What appears
partly in Oman aod partly smuggled to Persian in these returns represents the value of arms and
porta. ammunition legitimately eiportcd.
JVines end Spirits.—Imports are more or less Wheat.—Tti3 ehowsa falling off of Rs.8,*S5or
SO per cent. The reason is that no wheat tame
stationary and require no remarks.
from Persia and all that came Into Muscat was
Cotton Gzods.—Imports under this head have from India.
considerably improved and show the large increase Dry sardines and dry fsi.—The trade ha? made
of Rs. 3,33,064 or 45 per cent. The total import further progress and Muscat was
of the year of cotton goods has amounted to able to export
Rs. 10,27,$04 as against Rs. 6,94,340 of the Rs. 17,067 or 38 per ceat worth of more dry
sardines than in the last year. The entire export
previous year. India has supplied-Muscat with has been to India.
goods worth Rs. 5,3S,104, Aden haj sent
Rs. 3,32,600. The latter represents mostly Dry fish has also made great improvement.
American sheeting. The United Kingdom has The year’s export has amounted to Rs. 47,671
sent Rs. 1,27,700 worth. Merchants save on and shows the increase of Rs. 43,303 or 993 per
freight by getting their goods from Aden. cent. Most of what appears in these returns
Silk and Silk Goods.—These have improved was exported to Colombo. The fish trade is in the
hands of an Indian firm who seem to have handled
slightly and show an increase of Rs. 2,710 or it with advantage.
about 7 per cent.
Twist and Tarns.—Imports under this head* Dry dales.—The export for the year amc anted
both under steam ships and sailing vessels, show to Rs. 6,09,900 as against Rs. 8,25,997 of the
a slight combined increase of Rs. 12,700 or 6 per previous year, showing a loss of Rs. 2,16,097 or
cent. There is an increase in the local manufac­ 26 per cent. The supply of dates forthcoming
ture of cotton goods as will be seen later which was less than the previous year. In the beginning
accounts for this increase. of the season the prices were very favourable.
Merchants brought op and shipped large stocks,
Cigarettes.—The import of cigarettes show an tot before the goods reached Bombay prices had
increase of Rs. 9,G75 or 118 per cent. These are gone down. later, prices again rcee.
“ Capstan cigarettes" which are largely supplied
to ships- Wet dales.—America has taken her usual quota
Snujf.—This shows a respectable increase of and stands first. The year's transactions show
Rs. 15,530 or 2,100 per cent It is imported from an increase of Rs. 70,452 or 8 per cent
India and is consumed largely by the negro only over last year’s figures. The date crop
population for chewing. was said to have been small but very good
and fetched good prices. As has already been
Box Boards.—There is a marked decrease of noticed elsewhere one of the exporting houses
Re. 65,618 or 57 per cent The reason given is who usually packed largo amount of dates for
that one of the exporting houses in Muscat did America was disappointed this year, as their
not pack dates for America acting under instruc­ American Agents advised them not to pick for
tions from their American friends. They were, them. The firm's stock was bought up by
however, able to dispose of their stock of datos to another firm and Bdtsequently exported.
another firm iu Muscat and yet make a handsome
profit Dry limes.—This item shows the large increase
The following items under “ Imports by Sailing of Rs. 12,960 or 14 per cent. The yearti export
Vessels" show an increased import to the extent of amounted to Rs. 1,00,950 aa against Ri. 87,990
Hi. 35,960 of the last year. Meet of what appears in these
R«. returns was sent to Persia and Turkej in Asia
Oil of all kinds • 17,887 6r 38 pee cant. where they use them in flavouring curries.
Suitu (Soft) . 7,98) ^ 49 „ *
Co’.un good* . 8.66) „ 60 „ „ Pomegranates.—The export for the jear has
Twiit and y&ne . . 11,939 „ 84 „ „ amounted to Rs. Rs. 56,199 as against Rs. 73,739
BuiMing roatcruU . 9,61J „ 64 „ * showing a falling off of Rs. 17,540 or 23 per cent.
The reasons for fhesc increases are same as Last year's figures were unusual and the exporter
those given ou tic side of the “ Imports by Steam suffered considerable Icsbci ac<1 this year's figures
Ships." approach more nearly the normal.