File 234/1917 'Muscat trade reports. (1911-1924)' [‎172v] (353/428)

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competing with the oils of the Standard Oil
Company.
Sugar .—There is a respectable increase under
soft sugar of Rs. 91,648. It is all Java sugar
and is imported from India. No loaf sugar was
imported during the year for reasons unknown but
is just possible that loaf sugar was shown as sugar
in the steamer manifests. It appears that loaf
sugar used to be smuggled into Persia by Persian
arms buyers who no longer visit Muscat in con
sequence of the establishment of the arms ware
house and the demand for loaf sugar has there
fore ceased.
Termictlli .—Imports under this head have im
proved and the year's imports amount to Rs. 16,119
as against Rs. 5,030 of the previous year showing
an increase of Rs. 11,089 or 320 percent. Most of
what appears in these returns was imported from
Aden. It is Austrian produce and is consumed
partly in Oman and partly smuggled to Persian
ports.
H ines and Spirits .—Imports are more or less
stationary and require no remarks.
Cotton Goods .—Imports under this head have
considerably improved and show the large increase
of Rs. 3,33,064 or 48 per cent. The total import
of the year of cotton goods has amounted to
Rs. 10,27,904 as against Rs. 6,94,840 of the
previous year. India has supplied Muscat with
goods worth Rs. 5,38,104, Aden has sent
Rs. 3,32,600. The latter represents mostly
American sheeting. The United Kingdom has
sent Rs. 1,27,700 worth. Merchants save on
freight by getting their goods from Aden.
Silk and Silk Goods .—These have improved
slightly and show an increase of Rs. 2,710 or
about 7 per cent.
EXPORT.
Total export for the year amounts to Rs 45 22
as against Rs. 43,55,806 of the previl* 163
showing a nett increase of R s . 1 66 ^7 / ear >
cent. The exports by steam vesils’h'ivp ^ 3 Per
te the extent of Rs. 5,44,479 or 13 per
last year's figures ; on the other hand the exLfT
sailing vessels has suffered a loss of R s . ‘
or 72 per cent. This large drop is entire! ’
ted for by the loss suffered under ^
the export of which has amounted to R s ^(Uinn
only as against Rs. 3,85,000 of the previouf ,00 °
or roughly about 86 per cent. Measure, Hi ^
check smuggling “bar silver " seem to have W
a very good effect on the whole. had
Arms and Ammunition .—The exnnrt + 1 .
has amounted to Ks. 5 09 324 °
Ks. 64,612 of the previous year Vh at ^
in these returns represents the value of arnK ,■ ?
ammunition legitimately exported fn ilk
from InZ and 111 ^ int ° Mnscat ™
Dry sardines and dry fisk.-Tht trade has made
tether pro^ess and Muscat was able to export
Kb. 17,067 or 38 per cent worth of more drv
sardines than in the last year. The entire export
has been to India. ^
Dry fish has also made great improvement.
The year s export has amounted to Rs 47 671
and shows the increase of Rs. 43,308 or 992’per
cent. Most of what appears in these returns
was exported to Colombo. The fish trade is in the
hands of an Indian firm who seem to have handled
it with advantage.
Twist and Yarns .—Imports under this head*
both under steam ships and sailing vessels, show
a slight combined increase of Rs. 12,700 or*6 per
cent. There is an increase in the local manufac
ture of cotton goods as will be seen later which
accounts for this increase.
Cigarettes .—The import of cigarettes show an
increase of Rs. 9,675 or 118 per cent. These are
“ Capstan cigarettes" which are largely supplied
to ships. r
This shows a respectable increase of
Rs. 15,330 or 2,100 per cent. It is imported from
India and is consumed largely by the negro
population for chewing.
Bo * Toards.—YVzxQ is a marked decrease of
Rs. 65,648 or o7 per cent. The reason given is
that one of the exporting houses in Muscat did
not pack dates for America acting under instruc
tions from their A merican friends. They were
however, able to dispose of their stock of dates to
another firm in Muscat and yet make a handsome
profit.
xuc luuowing items under “ Imports by Saili
V e ssels''sh o w a n increased import to the extent
Rs. 35,960 :—
Oil of all kinds
Sugar (Soft)
Cotton goods ,
Twist and yarns .
Building materials
Rs.
17,887 or 38 per cent
7,980 „ 49 „ „
8,660 „ 50 ,
H.980 „ 84 „
9,513 „ 64
The reasons for these increases are same
Slfips S 1Ven ° n ^ Side ° f the “ Im P ort s by Ste
Dry dates. The export for the year amounted
to Rs. 6,09,900 as against Rs. 8,25,997 of the
previous year, showing a loss of Rs. 2 16 097 or
26 per cent. The supply of dates forthcoming
was less than the previous year. In the beginning
of the season the prices were very favourable
Merchants brought up and shipped large stocks'
but before the goods reached Bombay prices had
gone down. Later, prices again rose.
Wet dates .—America has taken her usual quota
and stands first. The year's transactions show
an increase of Rs. 70,452 or 8 per cent,
only oyer last year's figures. The date crop
was said to have been small but very good
and fetched good prices. As has already been
noticed elsewhere one of the exporting houses
who usually packed large amount of dates for
America was disappointed this year, as their
American Agents advised them not to pack for
them. The firm's stock was bought up by
another firm and subsequently exported.
Dry limes .—This item shows the large increase
of Rs. 12,960 or 14 per cent. The year's export
amounted to Rs. 1,00,950 as against Rs. 87,990
of the last year. Most of what appears in these
returns was sent to Persia and Turkey in Asia
where they use them in flavouring curries.
Pomegranates. —The export for the year has
amounted to Rs. Rs. 56,199 as against Rs. 73,739
showing a falling off of Rs. 17,540 or 23 per cent.
Last year's figures were unusnal and the exporter
suffered considerable losses andl this year's figures
approach more nearly the normal.
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