Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1180

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MOROCCO

Industry and Commerce.

The interior of Morocco,, although generally open to travellers, is not permanently occupiable as yet on account of lack of security to both life and property. Immigration is confined principally to the so-called French zone of influence along the coast, centreing especially in and about Casablanca. Morocco, therefore, is still in the rudimentary stages of both economic and commercial development. Only foreign capital seems available for the development of trade, agriculture, the mooted irrigation projects, railroads, etc. In the coastal regions some progress is being made, but the vast rich interior remains unexploited, with a large section actually unexplored.

In addition to its undoubted agricultural resources, rich mineral deposits of copper, iron, lead, antimony, sulphur, silver, gold, and petroleum are also said to exist in various parts of the Sultanate. The hostility of the interior tribes prevents any extensive European mining enterprises, but several companies have been organized in anticipation of early results.

The natural industries of Morocco have Ijecome almost extinct. For- merly richly-woven silks, woollens, and embroideries were extensively produced ; but the slipper, jillaba, and carpet industries are now all that remain, although there is a constantly decreasing quantity of tiles and pottery still manufactured in the interior.

Imports and exports for 1910 and 1911 : —

Imports

Exports

Ports

1910

1911

1910

1911

£,

£

£

£

Tangier.

406,570

513,070

25] ,461

366,673

Tetuan.

49,225

68,282

20,329

28,482

Laraiche

38(3,800

419,342

117,841

131,343

Rabat.

227,192

262,202

49,493

51,688

Casablanca.

082,821

886,559

389,630

790,083

Mazagaii

249,045

305,135

282,109

454,247

Saffi

279,396

337,412

187,153

550,432

Mogador

287,411

324,661

277,401

354,862

Total by Ports

2,468,459

3,116,669

1,575,417

2,727,810

., Melilla

1,298,730

1,538,367

114,631

65,827

,, Algeria

424,840 4,192,02&

054,480

576,880

616,200

Grand total.

-5,309,516

2,266,928

3,409,837

In 1910 and 1911 the commerce was distributed as follows :

—

From or to

Imports

Exports

1910

1911

1910

1911

£ £

£

£

United Kingclom i

1,143,282 1,512,735

422,478

791,771

France'^

1,747,243 1 2,225,053

924,930

1,259,579

Germany.

302,567 370,818

380,459

697,174

Spain ....

733,823 779,984

415,039

421,511

Italy ....

20,799 28,841

30,458

100,733

Belgium

113,320 148,153

4,174

29,951

United States.

17,990 28,732

38,240 ■

30,339

Austria-Hungary

68,246 124,605

3,844

3,744

Egypt ....

— —

34,950

—

Other countries.

44,759 90,595

12,356

75,035

. Total.

4,192,029 5,.309,516

2,266,928

3,409,837