‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎46v] (91/949)

58
REPORT ON TRADE OF PERSIA.
The import business is in the hands of native traders, and has decreased
since Koweit became a regular 'calling place for the British India steamers.
Cargo for or from Karun ports is transhipped here, and development of
trade must be looked for in Ahwaz and Shuster rather than Muhammerah.
Karun ports—Ahwaz and Shuster. The following are Messrs. Lynch
Bros’, statistics, per Consular Reports :—
1901. 1902.
T 1 1
Imports . . . 68,929 85,903
Exports . . • 96,467
Average for three years 1895-97, P er Consular Reports:—
Imports .... 4^400
Ex P°rts . . . .30,100
Three-fourths of the merchandise is carried by Messrs. Lynch’s river
steamer, and a fortnightly service suffices at present.
Goods can be consigned to or from Europe and India on through bill of
lading. The trader does not need to have an agent at Muhammerah, as
Customs examination is made in Ahwaz or Shuster, where an agent is
needed in any case to take charge of goods forwarded to or received from
the interior.
The regions of Dizful, Shuster, Bakhtiariland, and the lower plains of the
Karun, in which trade should naturally converge on the Karun, may have
a population of over 300,000. Chief products, grain and wool.
At Bunder Nasri, goods not taken delivery of at the steamer side are
landed at a small charge and warehoused free for one month by Messrs
Lynch. J
Cargo for Shuster is transferred from Bunder Nasri by a short tram line
to a smaller steamer plying between Ahwaz and Shuster. The tramway
concession was granted to a Persian subject by the Persian Government to
facilitate trade, and has served to obstruct and monopolise traffic. The
charge is krans 3 per ton (is. ia?.) either way, the distance being a mile and a
quarter, and the working plant can carry 50 to 60 tons a day.
The Ahwaz-Shuster steamer, worked by Messrs. Lynch under arrange
ment with the Persian Government, runs in connection with the Muhammerah-
Ahwaz steamer.
At bhuster no convenience appears to exist for landing or warehousing.
The Shuster trade is worked by Persians in Bombay. These forward
f h °°l S COTre |P° n dents who return produce. The Shuster merchants have
the reputation of cauuous traders, working well within their means.
Bushire througfBehbalta ^™ 2 ^ C ° nneCted by te ‘ egraph (Persian with
Trade Routes.
The excellent trade route from Shuster and Dizfu! to Khoremabad
Burujird, and Suhanabad is absolutely closed on account of the lawles" state
of the country it traverses. 1CSS state
The postal service has been abandoned.
The Bakhtiari route from Ahwaz and Shuster to Ispahan has received
some attention this year, and several traders have stated thai- ™ ‘
bv it have arrived in Ispahan at less cost and quicker than by the^BuThbe 3
Shiraz route It traverses a very mountainous count™ . 7 ^shire-
forwarded should not exceed 165 11 ^ in weight for mule t^n n‘ d
lbs. for camel transport. No regular traffic haf h'iR t tra " 5 P ort ’ or 2 75
between the fall and melting of fhe winter snows (say December "to MarcM
Tolls are paid by the charvadar (carrier). Loaded animals pay krans c ne;
loads half-price.' ^ 6 ^ Camel> ^ ^ 3 P er donkey. P Inim^ Jth^
A Dutch engineer has been despatched by the Persian .
report on the question of irrigation in the Karun The ^ V eTo P me n Tofth °
region through irrigation works undoubtedly deserves attention. P H