File 234/1917 'Muscat trade reports. (1911-1924)' [‎5v] (19/428)

Banking.
There are no banks in Muscat. The system among
merchants of issuing Hundis (drafts) is in vogue and
as trade methods are primitive there are no induce
ments for a bank to be established.
Trade.
The total volume of trade during the year under
report amounted to £559,855 as against £627,360 in
the preceding year, showing a net decrease of £67,505
or about 10 per cent. Of the above figures, goods
valued £100,397 were carried by sailing craft. The
( diminution in value is due chiefly to the fall in prices
and that Japanese cloth which is cheap being im
ported. Silk yafn from Japan has replaced similar
yarn irom Europe.
Share of Trade.
Countries.
Import.
Export.
Total.
Percent
age.
£
£
£
Aden .
Africa
Ceylon
India
Persia
United Kingdom
United States of America
Other Countries .
10,351
4,324
334,747
14,630
13,540
2,615
10,253
810
3,761
245
148,411
7,405
222
7,013
1,528
11,161
8,085
245
483,158
22,035
13,762
9,628
11,781
1- 99
1 44
0-04
86-33
3-93
2- 46
1- 71
2- 10
Total .
390,460
169,395
559,855
100 00
The above figures show that the largest share of
the year’s trade has been taken by India as usual.
Imports.
The total imports for the year under review have
amounted to £390 460 as against £442,700 of the
previous year, showing a net decrease of £52,240 or
about 12 per cent, of the total imports. Of the above
imports £52,793 represents imports carried by sailing
craft. A glance at the returns shows that imports
carried by steam vessels have suffered to the extent
of £37,315 and those carried by the sailing vessels
have suffered to the extent of £14,925.
Exports.
The total exports of the year under review have
amounted to £169,395 as against £184,660 of last
year, showing a net decrease of £15,265. Exports
carried by steam vessels amount to £121,791 and
those carried by the sailing craft £47,604. The
exports by steamers have suffered this year to the
extent of £16,330 whereas exports by sailing vessels
show an improvement of £1,095.
Fard Dates.
The export of Fard Dates to the United Stater^
of America shows an improvement of £1,645 over last
year’s figures. Owing to scarcity of rain the date
crops have suffered for several years past.
Legislation and Administration.
The Government is of the oriental type tempered
by treaty for the benefit of British subjects, over
whom the local authorities have waived jurisdiction.
Government is carried on by a Council consisting of
four Ministers (President, Minister of Finance,
Minister of Religious Affairs and Minister of Justice).
Cases against British subjects are tried by the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and His Majesty’s Consul, Muscat, on
principles of law adopted from British India. Cases
against Muscat subjects are decided by the Council
of Ministers, but the right of Consular representation
exists and is exercised.
Customs Administration.
Reciprocal Commercial treaties have been executed
by the Rulers of Oman with Great Britain and
France. In accordance with the terms of those all
goods imported into Oman are subject to an import
duty of 5 per cent ad valorem determined by the
price current in the local market. No export duty
is levied but charge of 5 per cent, is imposed in Muscat
and the Coast ports on all dates and other fruits from
the interior.
The Customs revenue is the main source of the
Government’s income.
Transport.
Transport along the Coast is by sailing vessel and
is cheap. Transport inland is carried out by pack
animals and is difficult, dangerous and expensive.
The rates depend upon the distance the goods have to
be conveyed and the difficulty of the journey.
No means of development of transport and com
munication exist at present owing to the exceedingly
primitive methods of the people of the country.
Agriculture.
Date growing is the only real industry o r the
country. Limes and mangoes are also successfully
grown, while pomegranates are the product of the
Jebel Akhdhar. Cereals are grown on a small scale
and could not be further developed owing to the
limited quantity of water available.