1058
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