‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎11v] (21/949)

the British India Steam Navigation Company’s Persian Gulfline Average
frpicrht is Rs 10 per ton, weight or measurement, the direct British line, o
the ^ Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. frequently call at Muscat on the outward trip—freight usually
the same as for Gulf porfe or an average of 35 s per ton. Arms are sh.pped
direct from England and Marseilles at about 61 . per ton freight.
Native sailing craft are now employed chiefly in the coasting trade, except
from the port of Sur, where the Arab owners maintain a trade, only inferior
to that of Muscat, with India and the African coast as far as Zanzibar, and
even with Mauritius.
Hnurufi nf Trade.
Quite four-fifths of the trade of Muscat is with India, and m the hands of
British Indian subjects working through partners or agents m Bombay. In
dents for Manchester or other home goods are sent to those agents, who place
orders with shipping firms in Bombay (payment against bill of lading A document confirming the goods which a ship has received. ), and
draw on Muscat at 21 days, plus commission (say 2 per cent).
Cotton tissues and other manufactures suited to the climate and condition
of the people of Oman can be supplied largely from goods which are already
manufactured for the Indian market, but the demand is of limited extent,
and traders state, L think with reason, that for the small indents made for any
one commodity it is more advantageous to place orders with Bombay shippers
probably dealing in large quantities of the same goods, than to deal direct
with houses in ^Great Britain. The consignment of perhaps only a few bales
is either transhipped on arrival in Bombay at once to Muscat, or if landed in
India on declaration of re-export pays 1 per cent, transit duty {jdus \ per cent,
agent’s commission) The Muscat trader sells locally in rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. or dollars, usually
payable in instalments concluded in about three months. Sales to the interior
are in dollars cash, delivery in Muscat, or frequently on credit to be liquidated
by consignments of dates or other produce in their seasons.
Oman has commercial treaties with Great Britain, France, and other
Powers. I summarise the conditions of greatest interest to traders:—
Foreign merchants have liberty to trade and reside in the country, and
purchase or rent lands, houses, and godowns, and to import or export
any article of commerce.
All imports are subject to Customs duty of 5 per cent, ad valorem.
Exports are not subject to duty.
Merchandise imported into Muscat under declaration of re-export by
the same owner within six months is not subject to duty in transit.
Dates and other produce from the interior are charged 5 per cent, duty
on arrival at the Customs Stations at the Coast ports. This charge does
not seem to he in keeping with treaty obligations, but is not complained of by
our traders as a serious question, as traders of all nationalities submit to it.
The Customs were formerly farmed out at an annual rental, latterly
amounting to $ 141 , 000 , hut since November 1899 have been administered
for account of the Sultan, with the result, it is believed, of an increase of
revenue. There are Customs ports at Muscat, Mutra, Sur, and other smaller
ports, but the control exercised elsewhere than at Muscat and Mutra is lax and
only nominal at Sur, which serves the most populous and fertile districts of the
Sultanate and is the port next in importance to Muscat. The Arab traders
of Sur, many of them flying the French flag pay only nominal duties, and
consequently can aft’ord to sell cheaper in inland markets than the British
Indian traders of Muscat.
The development of trade with Oman is retarded by the insecurity of life
and property inland. Merchandise is forwarded by large caravans with not
less than 10 men in charge, under safe conduct of a man from each district
traversed. The authority of the Sultan is little more than nominal beyond the
Coast ports, and tribal feuds and raids discourage agriculture and industry in
the interior.