Page 26 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

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Currency and Exchange.—Tho curronoy of the country is Maria Then**
dollar, a silvor com of Austria, and copper pice minted by tho 8ultan. The
Indian Government rupco is also in circulation in Mnskat and Matrab.
Sovereigns arc readily exchanged at tbo fixed rate of Rs. 16.
Tho exchange bctwcon dollars and rupees varied throughout the year from
Its. 140 to Rs. 171 per 100 dollars. Tbo increases noticed in the import and
export of specio is partly on account of trade and partly to exchange fluctuation.
The following is tho montly average rate of cxchangofor the past three years : —

Kxcbaofi p«r 100 doSax*.

19050ft 1900-07. - 1907 08.

Bx Ex.
April 133 1512 1GS|

May • •• 1372 1612 165

Jana HS • •• 136| 157 167

July taa 1382 157 163

August ... *»• ... 139( 176| 171

September .M ••• 1402 1672 170

October ... 1422 176| 163

November ,M ••• 14t 1662 151
December ... 145 171| 145

January • •• 147 166 144

February ... 150 1612 • lit

March Ml 1522 1602 140

Eoadi and Communication.—Ido wheel roads * exist in thin country and
means of communication with the interior are very bad. The camel is the only
beast of burden. The donkey is used in the coast towns. Travelling in the
country is unsafe and dangerous. Even an Arab will not take his journey
unless armed and in company of his tribesmen.
Shipping.—Tho number of vessels that entered the Maskat Harbour was 078
representing a net tonnage of 426,217 tons, as against 699 vessels with a tonnage
of 012,973 tons in 1900-07, thus givin a decrease of 21 sailing vessels and an
increase of four iteam-sb'ips.
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