Reports and Correspondence Relating to Persia, Including Trade and Trade Routes in Persia [‎5r] (9/252)

GENERAL REPORT ON BRITISH TRADE AND ENTERPRISE.
Fruits imported into Russia pay duty at the rate of 25 copecks per poud
when coming from Persia, and Rbls. r8o* per poud when coming from
other countries. The Russian market for these products seems insatiable,
and the important regions of production in Persia—Azerbaijan, Kazvin,
Damghan, Shahrud and Khorassan are more accessible to Russia than to any
other market. The trade in Ispahan, equidistant from the Caspian and the
Gulf, is divided.
Raw cotton is a most remunerative product in Khorassan, and is freely ex
ported to Russia from Ispahan and even from Yezd and Kerman, but the exports
from the Gulf are precarious and show little sign of increase. Cotton pays
in Russia 40 copecks per poud from Persia, and Rbls. 4-15 per poud from
other countries. It is quoted in Moscow at about 2 roubles per poud less
than American cotton (say 20 per cent ), but is undoubtedly of poor quality,
and is said to yield 8 or 10 funts less of yarn per poud than American
cotton (40 funts equal one poud). The Russian and Persian production
combined is estimated at less than half the annual consumption in Russia.
I conclude, therefore, that the Persian producer is very much dependent
Ufon this difference in duty on exports to Russia (see pages 33 and 35).
Rice is grown for export in Ghilan and Mazanderan, and could not bear
the cost of transport to Trebizond or Bushire. Unhusked rice pays in
Russia 5 copecks per poud from Persia and 60 copecks per poud from other
countries. I have not obtained evidence as to whether this preference confers
any marked benefit on the Persian producer.
An increase in exports, it is said, causes an increase in imports from the
same country. The trader becomes familiar with the routine of business,
the agent who disposes of his produce serves also to effect purchases, and
suitable articles of commerce are brought to his notice. Banking commission
on the return of funds is saved.
Russia has taken measures to encourage the import into Persia of her
manufactures.
Special through rates for goods to Persia are accorded. I have not been
able, in Persia, to compare them with the rates charged to frontier
destinations within Russia, such as Erivan and Ashkabad. The steamship
line to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. from Odessa has a subsidy of about 20,000/. per
annum or 4,000/. per trip on five trips effected, and refund of canal dues.
This expenditure secures to the Russian over the British shipper an
advantage of 12 to 15 shillings per ton weight on cotton goods to Bushire.
The Banque de Prets dePerse is connected with the Russian State Bank.
Its manager is also a Russian Government official. The standing of this
institution is therefore independent of current profits. For some years past,
and specially during the last two years, this bank has devoted its attention
to the development of Russian trade with Persia, particularly to imports into
Persia, and most particularly to the import of cotton textiles. It delivers
goods to clients at such prices as old-established Russian traders in Persia
have been unable to compete with. Its operations have had, without doubt,
a marked effect in increasing Russian trade with Persia.
Drawback, said to be the equivalent of duties previously imposed, is
granted in Russia on certain commodities exported to Persia f
*
t
International Customs Journal, No 23, Rus-ia, October 1896.
Drawback is granted on the following exports to Persia :—
Cotton tissues :—
A. Bleached or unbleached .
B. Dyed and printed, except “ Adrianople dyed ” .
C. Dyed and printed, of “Adrianople” dye .
Linen textiles:—
Yarns, unbleached • . . .
Do. bleached • • . .
Tissues, unbleached ....
Do. bleached • . . .
Do. dyed or printed
Vodka :
Grain • • . . .
Fruit • • . . .
Matches, petroleum, tea, tobacco, pass in transit, or obtain
Sugar .....
Per poud.
• Rbls. 4 , 65
4-87*
5'40
30
70
• • 75
i ‘*5
. * 140
. 11 cop. per grade.
7 11 •>
refund of Excise.
. Rs. 175 per poud.