Coll 28/41 ‘Persia. Trade Reports. Kerman 1924–’ [‎141v] (282/313)

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Bicycles .—One of the most satisfactory of three
new lines of business has proved to be bicycles in
which the Remington Cycle Co., thanks to their
enterprise and readiness to meet the Kerman im
porter half way, have found a small market for
themselves in the South-East of Persia. Mr. Ali
Asghar Moinzada, their agent, has now placed a
regular monthly order with this firm for six cycles,
intended for Kerman and Yezd. This represents
a yearly trade of 36,000 krans alone. So far, all
the cycles exported by this Company have been
sold as soon as the crates'were opened.
Tyres .—The demand for tyres for cycles and for
motor cars (which in Kerman alone number over
40 as compared with 12 two years ago) will now
have to be satisfied ; and I have placed Mr. Ali
| Asghar in communication with the Dunlop Rubber
1 Company with the object of establishing a sub
agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. for their manufactures in Kerman.
Lamps .—The Incandescent lamps (made by P. I.
F. C. 0. of Birmingham) imported during the year
were disappointing. But I am convinced that
there is a good market for these kinds of larrlps and
Mr. Ali Asghar is in correspondence with another
firm : I have also urged him to get into touch with
a reliable firm of British lamp chimney manufac
turers. The German and Japanese chimneys now
in the market are not good.
Miscellaneous .—Stationery and footwear have
proved to be promising lines ; and definite enquiries
are now proceeding as regards soap, biscuits and
confectionery, and hardware.
Motor Cars .—It is unfortunate that British Motor-
Cars have not yet found their way into Kerman.
There are occasional private enquiries. But the
vogue of the ubiquitous Ford—slightly shaken
though it is by the Dodge and Chevrolet—remains
steady; partly because people hesitate to risk
English cars on the miserable tracks which pass
for roads in most parts of this Province : partly
because they are nervous of the unfamiliar. If
once the Clyno or Morris Cowley could be got a
footing here I believe they would do well. The
first essential is the introduction of one English
car (for seeing is believingj; the second is an ener
getic and trustworthy agent at Duzdab (not so
easy as it sounds).
Synthetic Dyes .—There is a possible opening in
the Kerman carpet business of the synthetic pro
ducts of the British Dyestuffs Corporation. But
German firms are making a well organized/ attempt
to capture whatever market there is—sending out
representatives to Kerman with samples with
which they give demonstration on the spot. If
the British Corporation wishes to compete with
them seriously,^ it must adopt more vigorous
measures than it has up till now, in particula r.—
samples, complete instructions, and colour chart'^'
must be sent out.
The conclusion is that a small but definite opening
has been found for British trade in Kerman, which
can already be measured in terms of £ s. d., through
the medium of Mr. Ali Asghar Moinzada (to whom
credit is due for his perseverance in face of many
initial difficulties). And within limits this trade is
capable of expansion.
\b) Indian Trade .—It is not possible to speak so
hopefully of the prospects of an expansion of Indian
trade with South-East Persia. Attempts to get
into touch with firms or factories who could export
to Kerman a better quality tea than the Persian
buyers in Duzdab and Bombay can procure and
which the Kerman consumer would gladly pay for,
have been met with the astonishing reply from the
Calcutta brokers that they know better than the
Kerman consumer what quality of tea he drinks
and that it is of the best! The Chambers of
Commerce of India are unwilling to make Mr. Ali
Asghar their Honorary Correspondent. Mr. Ali
Asghar himseR who addressed 6 prominent firms
mentioned in the official “ Directory of the Principal
Exporters of Indian Produce and Manufactures ”
in regard to tea, sugar, and cotton yarn, was sternly
discouraged by two of the. six, and received no answer
at afl from the others. Such is the result of a year’s
work. It bears out the opinion of the Director of
Commercial Intelligence, that Indian business firms
.in general are not prepared to expand “either
money or energy ” on this trade. If that is so, /
India will inevitably lose a good part of what trade
she now has; and will make no new openings,
though Delhi is nearer than Belfast for the supply
of biscuits and confectionery; Cawnpore than
Northampton for the supply of footwear and
saddlery ; Aligarh than Birmingham for the supply
of locks etc.; and Bombay than Manchester for the
supply of piece goods. It is significant that while
last year (according to the most carefully checked
estimate) Bombay and Manchester shared equally
in the profits of the piece goods market, this year
Manchester’s share of the imports was 77 per cent,
to Bombay 13 per cent.
Distribution :—
3 copies H. M. Minister.
3 ,, Resident, Bushire.
1 copy Dept, of Overseas Trade.
MGIPC—M—XI—30-6 -26—20.