AFRICA: EGYPT. 



427 



of dams is in process of construction with the object of trebling the 

 present area of cultivation. There are no paper mills in Egypt, and 

 there are no facilities for making paper machinery. 



IMPORTS. 



Nearly all kinds of paper are imported into Egypt. The market 

 prices of each kind vary so greatly that no estimate can be given of 

 them. The countries from which paper is imported are England, 

 Austria, Germany, Italy, Belgium, France, Greece, Sweden, Switzer- 

 land, the United States, Holland, Roumania, and Turkey. It is 

 impossible to state the quantity of paper imported from these coun- 

 tries, but the values of the principal classes are as follows, for the 

 year 1897 : 



The valuation of all importations into Egypt was for 1896 $49,- 

 143,020 and for 1897 $53,018, 150. Great Britain controls the import 

 business of Egypt. Turkey, although she sends less than half as 

 much as Great Britain, comes second, with France a close third. 

 All the other countries combined export to Egypt about half the 

 amount sent by Great Britain. 



BANKING AND MAIL FACILITIES. 



The banking facilities are excellent. Three-month bills are 

 usually accepted. The mail facilities with the countries from which 

 paper is imported are good. The time occupied between Alex- 

 andria or Port Said and the Mediterranean ports is from two to 

 five days, and there are five weekly mails from Europe by British, 

 Austrian, Italian, and French steamers. The telegraph facilities are 

 perfect. 



