Coll 28/19 ‘Sistan & Kain. Annual Commercial Reports’ [‎104r] (211/318)

'Clothing. —Is another prohibited or at least res
tricted Import and the trade has virtually ceased.
Mineral Oils. —Some decrease is noticeable. Motor
Vehicles engaged on the Zahidan-Kundi route
obtain their requirements in India—Imports are
for the interior of Persia.
Cotton Thread.-—k considerable increase of Imports
the fact that this was one of the commodities
which yielded a profit as a result of increased demand
for the Carpet Industry which slightly improved
during the year.
(Note. —No such improvement is evident from the Export
figures for Carpets via Zahidan. This is due to the fact that
Exports were deflected to other ports owing to the prohibitive
transport rates existing after the withdrawal of the railway.)
Textiles—Piece Goods—Mainly Woollen. —An un
expected expansion of Imports occurred. 1930-31
was an exceptionally bad year, and it may be assumed
that stocks were low. For Cotton Piece-Goods see
remarks under Russian competition.
Byes. —A marked increase. The comments under
Cotton Thread, in respect of the Carpet Industry,
apply to this commodity.
Motors and Bicycles [including Spare Parts).—
A large fall in value of Imports principally in Spare
Parts for Motors.
Exports.
Cereals. —A considerable increase over 1930-31
which under present conditions is likely to continue.
Large stocks of grain exist in East Persia and
recent exchange fluctuations have enabled exports
to be profitably made to India.
Dried Fruits. —A heavy fall compared with last
year due to competition in Indian markets by
Afghanistan.
Late in the year the Persians adopted better
methods of packing and grading and the trade is
increasing.
Cotton. —The cultivation of Cotton in East Persia
has increased, and in the search for commodities
for export to obtain Import Licenses, this crop has
attracted some attention. Considerable stocks exist
in the Sistan area, which owing to the deplorable
state of the road to Zahidan and consequent high
freights, cannot be profitably exported : Expecta
tions of the establishment of Cotton Spinning plant
at the principal town of Zabul have not been fulfilled.
Wool. —The stimulation of the Monopoly Law
led to some increase of export, but high freights to
the Railhead mitigate against much expansion.
The bulk of the East Persian crop is transported
North to Russia.
Carpets. —The industry has somewhat revived as
compared with 1930-31.
The decrease of exports via Zahidan is due-to
enhanced transport rates to Railhead, resulting in
export being deflected to other ports of exit.
Such carpets as were exported Were, in the tfiain,
of the cheaper qualities for the Indian market,
where they have been disposed of at a loss, solely
to obtain rights to Import other commodities.
Silk Cloth .—Principally Meshed Silks have attract
ed particular attention as a line for export to balance
imports. The low cost of transport relative to value
assists this trade.
Furs .—Remarks under Silk Cloth equally apply.
Hides.—A remarkable fall in exports due in the
main to uneconomic rates.
New items of Trade.
In spite of the relative set-back in the importation
of Industrial Machinery it appears likely, from the
policy of the government, to encourage local manu
factures that the trade will expand in the near future.
There is an increasing tendency among the public
of East Persia to regard Motor-cars of U. K. manu
facture with favour. The reduction in prices of
the leading makes of light cars should now make
some market available.
Unfortunately none of the leading firms are re
presented by local agents and agents in India have
no knowledge of local conditions, and in the few
cases in which they have supplied cars, have been
found unsatisfactory to deal with.
Concise illustrated pamphlets in Persian, would
in all probability popularise British light cars, but
a local agent carrying a reasonable stock of spares
is the first essential.
New trade channels.
Nil.
Growth of foreign competition and danger to British
interests therefrom.
Nil.
Russian trading methods.
Russian Cotton Piece-goods, although not popular
sell readily, since they are cheap and supply the
wants of the mass of the population, the purchasing
power of which is low.
The fact that Russian trade representatives reside
in East Persia, whereas U. K. firms are entirely
unrepresented by Agents, mitigates against British
trade, but low prices are the principal factor.
Credit offered hy foreign firms as opposed to those
granted hy British firms.
Under present conditions the granting of credit
by British Firms, unrepresented by reliable local
agents, cannot be recommended.