Page 535 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AOENCY FOB 1881-82. 137

PART IV.

TRADE.

The accompanying’ returns show the statistics of trade of Muscat
during the past year as far as they can be gathered. They compare
favourably with those of the preceding year, and whilst there is a re­
markable falling off in the imports from India, this decrease is more
than counterbalanced by the increase of imports from the Persian Gulf,
Basrah, and Mekran Coast. In this great increase Basrah takes the
largest share, as, owing to the abundant harvest in Mesopotamia, the
cereals from that port have flowed into Muscat in unusually large quan­
tities.
In cotton cloth the importation has remarkably improved, having
more than doubled; hut the improvement is owing to consignments from
America, which are increasing yearly.
There has been a very considerable falling off in the export of dates,
which is the chief article of exportation, owing to the scanty harvest
gathered last year.
The annual lease of the Muscat Custom-house has been sold to Sett
Katao Bhimjee for § 1,25,000.
CHARLES GRANT, Major,
H. B. M’s Political Agent and Consul, Muscat.
Bbitish Political Agency and Consulate,
Muscat, lQth May 1882.