Coll 28/41 ‘Persia. Trade Reports. Kerman 1924–’ [‎30v] (60/313)

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The principal importing countries are :—
Germany. —£63,617 ; dyes, chemicals, woollen
pieeegoods, metals, machinery, electri
cal equipment, bicycles and general
stores.
India. —£38.673 or Rs. 5,15,674 ; cotton piece-
goods, tea and spices.
£28,518 ; sugar.
Japan. —£16,862 cotton piecegoods, tea.
Belgium. —£15,406 ; sheet metal, sugar.
Imports from the United Kingdom amounted
to £5,060.
Details of imports by commodities are given
in Appendix B (1).
Details of imports by countries for the first
half of the year are given in Appendix D (1).
So long as the present restrictions on foreign
exchange continue and the barter agreement
between Iran and Germany remains in force,
there appears to be little prospect of an increase
in the imports from either India or the United
Kingdom.
(6) Exports. —The total for the year via Bandar
Abbas is valued at rials 23,348,766 (£291,860)
an increase of ra$s 5,725,577 (£71,569), vide
Appendix A ; details by commodities are given
in Appendix B (2). It will be seen that more
than 50 per cent, of the exports by this route are
carpets for which the United States of America
and the United Kingdom (for the European
market) are the buyers. The other principal
exports are wool and goat hair (Germany and
Japan), red oxide (United Kingdom, United
States of America and Germany) pistachios
(United States of America and India), and dried
fruits (Germany and India).
Details of exports by countries for the first half
of the year are given in Appendix D (2).
IV. Agriculture.
There are indications that a greater interest
is being taken in agricultural development. A
more experienced officer has been appointed
provincial director and it is understood that he
has obtained a substantial grant from the Central
Government for clearing and repairing the under
ground canals in this area which were damaged
by the floods of 1932. The grant is for the new
year (1317) and it remains to be seen if it is used
to good effect.
Most of the crops in this area depend upon
the rainfall. Last season’s rains were much below
normal, resulting in very poor crops. By Novem
ber the scarcity of wheat and other domestic
cereals became serious and the situation was
only saved by importing into the province supplies
of wheat from Isfahan, Hamadan and Kerman-
shah. The principal crops in this district are
cereals, cotton, pistachios, almonds and opium.
Under government pressure more land was put
under cotton last season to meet the demands of
the monopolies and mills. This policy contri
buted largely to the food shortage referred to
above. It would appear from current sowings
that the lesson has been partially learnt. This
season’s rain has so far been excellent through
out the district and there are prospects of a good
harvest.
Mons. Wetli, a Swiss subject, with two Zoras-
trian merchants of Kerman, acquired a large
area of land near Haji Abad and Gahkum on
the Sirjan-Bandar Abbas road, for agricultural
development. The price paid is believed to be
about rials 150,000.
A company was formed to improve the water
supply near Bandar Abbas by means of artesian
wells, but operations are suspended owing to
difficulty and delay due to import and exchange
restrictions, in obtaining replacements for
damaged parts.
V. Industry.
The principal industry in the Kerman district
is carpet weaving. Notwithstanding the com
plaints of merchants.about the weakness of over
seas markets, especjllty America, and the diffi
culties created by the exchange restrictions, the
following comparative statement shows that
there is little variation^ in the disposal figures
during the past four years :—
(In thousands of rials).
1313.
1314.
1315.
1316 (1937-38).
Kermanis .
11,671
9,505
9,704
9,200
Tribal
940
51
245
200
Total
12,511
9,596
9,949
9,400
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