File 234/1917 'Muscat trade reports. (1911-1924)' [‎20v] (49/428)

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 £627,360 as against £611,997 in
the preceding year showing a net increase of £15,363
or about 3 per cent. Of the above figures goods
valued £323,679 were carried by sailing craft and the
rest by steam vessels.
Share of Trade.
Exports.
The total value of exports during the year amounted
to £184,660 showing an improvement over last year-**,
figures of £45,641. Exports carried by steamers ha\ v .
amounted to £138,121 and show a goodly increase of
£24,464 over last year’s figures. Sailing vessels ex
ported goods to the extent of £46,539 which show an
increase of £21,177.
The increase of £45,641 noticed above is due to
increased exports under following items :—
Dry sardines
Dry dates
Dry limes
Sugar, soft
Total
£
7,700
20,200
7,700
10,000
45,600
Countries
Import
Export
Total
Percent-
aee
£
£
£
Aden
Africa
India
Persia
United Kingdom •
United States of America
Other Countries .
1,389
3,289
398,535
16,938
10,821
2,585
9,143
i‘,097
151,779
25,341
213
5,368
862
1,389
4,386
550,314
42,279
11,034
7,953
10,005
•22
•70
87-72
6-74
1-76
1-27
1-59
Total
442,700
184,660
627,360
100 00
The above figures show that as usual India has
maintained her position and she is responsible for
about 88 per cent, of the total trade for Ihe year.
Imports.
The total imports for the year under review have
amounted to £442,700 as against £472,978 for the
last year showing a net decrease of £30,278 or about
6-40 per cent, of the total imports. Of the total
imports, £67,718 represents imports carried by sail
ing craft.
A glance at the import returns will show that
imports by steamers have improved to the extent of
£48,243 whereas those carried bv sailing craft have
suffered to the extent of £79,521. Bice is flhe chief
item in which the imports carried by the latter have
suffered, in 1921-22 the import of this commodity
amounted to £87,297 while in 1922-23, £ 12,226 worth
was imported. Smuggling may account for a fair
proportion of this decrease.
The last item was imported and re-exported.
Fard Dates.
It will be noticed that the export of Fard dates to
the United States of America has suffered seriously
during the last 2 years ; the figures for this year being
less than half those for the previous year. The reason
given for diminution in this once flourishing trade is
the shortage or almost entire lack of rain and the
consequent scarcity of water. The date crop in thte
year under review was of the poorest quality and
hardly fit for export.
Legislation and Administration.
The Government is of the oriental type tempered
by treaty for the benefit of British subjects, over
W’hom 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 Poli
tical Agent 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 w r ith Great Britain and France.
In accordance with the terms of these 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 truirs irom
the interior.
The Customs revenue is the main source of the
Government’s income.