"تقرير إداري عن الخليج الفارسي لعام ١٩٣٧" [و‎‎١‎٧] (٧٢/٣٣)

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52. Economic affairs. —Dissatisfaction with trade restrictions, monopolies,
exchange control and Government intervention in general caused a petition
to be presented to the Shah during his visit to Shiraz. After the death of
the Minister of Finance modifications were discussed in Tehran and the new
Minister of Commerce has proved sympathetic to the extent of securing the
curtailment of some of the powers of the monopoly companies. Not only
had production of gum, almonds, dried fruits, carpets, and skins decreased,
as the opportunity for individual profit was taken away, but the actual mar
kets have been partly lost. Meanwhile Banks have restricted credit consi
derably, particularly to the new Companies, which are badly managed.
53. Merchants are now free to export most commodities under license
from the Monopoly Company concerned and endeavours are being made to
rega n the old markets. A very large proportion of the produce of Fars goes
to the U. S. S. R. or to Germany as part of the trading agreements with
Iran. A quantity of cotton yarn from the local mills was exported to Germany
during the year, but this was stopped owing to Russian representations.
54. Imports are in the main cotton piece-goods, sugar, tea and hardware*
Stocks of all of these in the country are said to be in excess of requirements
and permits to import more have been refused. The necessary foreign ex
change to pay for such imports, however, was not available. Similar consi-
derations have prevented the purchase of more machinery for the existing
mills or for others planned, and the arrival of motor lorries and cars and
accessories has been delayed, thus causing great dislocation to trade, agri
culture and industry. Smuggled goods of all kinds are to be seen in increasing
quantities.
55. The Sherket-i-Qumash (Cotton Piece Goods Company) has imported
a certain quantity of goods from Manchester and from Bombay. Otherwise
the market is stocked with Russian cloth. The only other British product
of importance is tea.
56. The Trading Companies established in Shiraz at the end of the year
were :—
Sherket-i-Sahami Tijaret-i-Fars va Banader (general trade).
Sherket -i-Sahami Pashm, Pust va Pambeh (wool, hides, cotton).
Sherket-i-Sahami Pust Narm-i-Fars (skins).
Sherket -i-Sahami Ketira-i-Fars (gum tragacanth).
Sherket-i-Sahami Tijaret-i-Junub (general trade).
Sherket -i-Sahami Muammelat-i-Amta-i-Vatan (general and local trade
in Iranian manufactures).
Sherket -i-Tijaret-i-Fars (general trade: in liquidation).
Sherket -i-Sahami Dukhaniat-i-Fars (tobacco : in course of reformation).
Sherket -i-Sahami Tutun va Sigaret-i-Fars va Banader va Junub
(tobacco : in course of reformation).
Sherket -i-Sahami Tuntun va Sigaret-i-Fars (tobacco: in course of
reformation).
Sherket -i-Sahami Otomobil-i-Fars va Banader (motor cars and spare
parts).
Sherket-i -Sahami Qumash -i -Fars (cotton goods).
Sherket -i-Sahami Qumash-i-Shiraz va Tavab (cotton goods).
Sherket-i -Sahami Gand va Shcker (sugar : local and imported).
Sherket-i -Rusta'i (Village Co-operative Society : local trade).
Sherket-i-Qali (carpets).
Sherket-i-Kalah-i-Fars (local trade).
In most of these. Government has sufficient interest to give a measure
of control.
57. Local industries have not been extended during the year owing to
the lack of capital and of Government permits to obtain machinery. The
Fars Manufacturing Company having actually ordered British Spinning
Machinery to double their plant had to cancel the order. The new buildings