‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎10v] (19/949)

2
trading from the smaller ports of Oman. There has been no marked increase
or decrease of trade in recent years.
Total Imports (excluding specie).
£
Average for three years to 1900 - - 246,000 per annum.
Do. do. 1903 - - - 253,000
Total Exports (excluding specie).
Average for three years to 1900 - * 127,000 per annum.
Do. do. 1903 - - - 119,000 „
Imports.
Arms and Ammunition are imported direct from Europe. The Trade in
1895-6 amounted to only 16 , 000 ^. The imports in subsequent years have
been:—
1896-7.
1897-8.
1898-9.
1899-1900.
1900-1.
1901-2.
1902-3.
British
£
80,000
£
90,000
£
20,000
£
35,000
£
78,000
£
44,000
£
27,000
Continental •
-
5,000
If ,000
6,000
6 ,SCO
12,000
11,000
13,000
The importation of firearms and ammunition into Persia and certain
other territories in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. was prohibited in the end of 1897 ,
but only a part of the quantities still imported into Muscat finds a sale
in Oman, the bulk is sent in contraband to Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ports.
There is no restriction imposed by the Sultan of Muscat on the impor
tation or sale of these articles, but British and British Indian subjects
participating in this trade at Muscat must furnish to the Poltical Agent
the names and addresses of parties to whom they sell. This discourages
them from engaging in the trade, for it is probable that legitimate sales
made by them will be run by subsequent buyers in contraband to pro
hibited ports. Purchasers naturally prefer to deal with other traders, on
whom similar regulations are not imposed, and the import from France
and Belgium through Marseilles is consequently steadily increasing,
while import from the United Kingdom is declining.
This trade gives large profits in Muscat, and a French and a Bussian
trader are enabled to run businesses which, but for the regulation
referred to, they would have difficulty in retaining in competition with
our own traders. A recent consignment, mostly carbines, is reported to
have been sold olf at over Us. 60 each piece (with 100 rounds ammunition),
the cost c.i f. Muscat, being estimated at Rs. 35 .
The traffic in arms is not now an important business, but by leaving
it to foreign competitors we give them an opening to settle in Muscat,
and being there, perhaps to take part in other business which alone would
not afford them maintenance
Grain and Provisions —is consumed by all classes, and with other grains,
spices, and coffee, forms the principal trade with India. Persia has
usually supplied wheat, but owing to bad harvests in that country for
some years past recourse has been had to India. Loaf sugar is little
used, and soft sugar from Austria has held the market until recently,
but Russian bag sugar, for which some orders have recently been placed
through Bombay, is now offered at lower rates (about 11 s. 6dper cwt.),
and appears likely to secure the market. Cane sugar is imported from
Mauritius and India, but is not a large trade.
Textiles .—White shirtings are all of Manchester manufacture, but in greys
the Indian mills supply a fair part, and American unbleached sheetings
have a steady market. In printed cotton goods the demand is for cheap
light Manchester fabrics, check and stripe patterns predominating.
Indigo dyed shirtings are in some demand for the mourning month of