Page 43 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

REPORT

ON THE

TRADE OF MASKAT

for the year 1908-1909-

[Br R. E. Holland, Esq., I.C.S., His Britannic Majesty's Consul.]

Total Trade. Rice.—There has been a marked Increase in.
the import of rice. The price of Rangoon rice
The statistics submitted with this report have
been compiled from returns of exports and imports during the year under report fell very low and
furnished by the Customs Department of His the local merchants imported a large quantity
Highness* Government. with the idea of storing it and making a profit.
But the price fell instead of rising and the
The total value of the export and import speculators suffered losa
trade for the year under review is put down at Wheat end other grain.—Under this head are
Rs. 1,48,11,141, against Rs. 1,40,92,010 for the included all kinds of grain except rice. The
previous year. The increase therefore is imports from Persia and Turkey in Asia consist
Rs. 7,19.131, or a little over 5 per cent. The mostly of wheat and barley and from India of
increase occurs mainly under the heads of Rangoon pulse, gram, and peas.
rice imported from Bombay and American sheet­
ing imported from Aden. Piece goods.—The increase is principally due
to the larger import of American sheeting, which
comes to Maskat from Aden. The cloth i>
Imports,
extensively purchased by (be poorer classes, as it
The total imports into Maskat amounted to is strong and can be dyed to any colour. Each
Rs. 1,02,57,315 as compared with Rs. 9S,4G,5G0, bale is stated to contain 25 pieces of 30 yards
the figure for the previous year, 1907-1908. The each. The price per bale in Aden ranges from
increase amounts to Rs. 4,10,755 or a little over 4 Rs. 113 to Rs. 137. The bales are sold in Maskat
per cent. at from Rs. 130 to Rs. 152. Imports from India
and Persia show increases of Rs. 1,01,250 and
The items which show an increase are:—
Rs. 22,800, respectively. Imports from India
consist of articles of European manufacture such
Par
Articles. 1907-1908. 1908*1909. In create. as coatings, trouserings, shirtings, chintz, etc.
cent. Imports from Persia chiefly consist of a dark
coloured cotton stuff with a mixture of crude silk
Rs. R*. Be. used for women’s costumes. Each piece is about
Bics 16,50,000 21,10,725 4,60,725 28 8 yards in length and is sold for 8 dollars
(Rs. 10-8-0) per piece.
Wheat, tie. • 1.89.000 2,94,808 1,03,808 56
Silt and Sill goods.—Imports from India
Piece goods • 6,24.500 9,44,465 3,19,965 51 contribute Rs. 33,800 to the increase under this
bead and imports from Persia Rs. 5,500. The
Silk goods 2,14,003 2,53,300 39.300 18 imports from India consist solely of raw white silk
yarn and Twi.t 2,74,700 3,13,845 39.145 14 which is coloured locally and used in the pre­
paration of Lungies and Pogrees (waist cloths
hfisceHantoos . 2.39.000 4,18.913 1,79,913 75 and turbans). Imports from Persia of
6ilk piece goods manufactured at Yezd.
215J r. a

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