Page 5 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

No. 1451, dated Qushire, the aSth June (received glh July) 1916.
From—CAPTAIN A. P. Trevor. I.A* First Assistant Resident, Persiao Gulf,
To—Sir Louis Dane, K.C.I.E., C.S.L, Secretary to the Government of India in
the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to forward, for the information of the Government of
J India, a copy of the Maskat Trade Report for the year 1905-1906.

Trade Report for Maskat, 1905-1906,
The total value of trade for the year 1905-1906 according to the figures
furnished by the Superintendent of the Sultan’s Customs is returned at Rs.
82,49,93° as against Rs. 82,11,540 of the year 1904-1505 shewing a slight
increase of Rs. 38,390. The imports show an increase of Rs. 1,91,280, on the
figures of 1904-05, while the exports give a decrease of Rs. 1,53,890.
The following items contribute for increase on the import side
Silk and silk goods, rice and twist and yarn from India, wheat and other
grains and ghee from Persia and piece goods from America, whilst
Arms and Ammunition from Europe show a great falling off owing to prices
having ruled low during the year and the stock on hand of the previous year
having been considerable. Coffee, sugar, specie and miscellaneous articles each
shew a decline. On the whole InJia, Persia, America, and the United Kingdom
gained while other countries lost.
There is no direct trade with Europe except in Arms and Ammunition and,
to a very small extent, in Oilman’s stores. From Soo to i.ood bales of American
sheeting are imported from New York via Aden.
Exports.—Tbe year 1904-05 shewed a decrease of Rs. 7,01,880, and 7905-
1906 gives a further decrease of Rs. 1,53,890. The chief reason for this was a
plague of locusts in the interior of Oman which almost totally destroyed the
lime crop and reduced the export of dry limes very largely. Export of pearls
and mothcr-o’-pcarl also shew a decrease.
The most important item of the export of this country is the date produce
the yield of which was in 1005-06 less than that of the preceding year but the
rise in prices compensated the producer for the small amount exported.
In November 1905, a Monsieur Hatinoglou, representing the Sponge Ex­
ploration Syndicate of London, obtained permission from His Highness tbe
Sultan of Oman to fish for sponges in a large portion of the waters adjacent to
his territory. No steps have as yet been taken however by the Syndicate to
commence operations, and it is not believed that the amount of sponge procur­
able from Oman seas would be sufficient to warrant any considerable outlay of
capital.
The percentages of the total trade of Maskat as regards the various nations
are as follows :—
America 7*09 per cent
France... .- ... 0-50
Iudia M ... ... 70*39
Persia _ _ ... y»5
. Turkey ia Asia ... ... 0*91
United Kingdom ... ... 12*69
Zanzibar .h 0*20
Other Countries • H ... ' *'37
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