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7.—SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
7.—A summarised statement of any developments in the agricultural, forestal, fishing, mining, and o
of the Island during the year uuder review, with a statement as to progress up to date. A special account should be
given of Government grants or other action for the development of the natural resources aud industries of the Island.
Cyprus is essentially an agricultural rather than an industrial country. Development
m a y be expected in the following industries (but except in mining no marked development
has occurred in 1921), mining, wine and spirit making, fishing, fruit and vegetable drying
or preserving, cotton, silk, gypsum, and industries connected with olive oil products. Animal
breeding, especially of mules and donkeys is progressing.
Progress in mining has also been maintained at Skouriotissa, where material and plant;
to the approximate value of £25,000 has been imported for the mine, and whence 11,552
tons of cuprous pyrites has been extracted during the year. The extraction of asbestos at
Amiandos has continued.
A m o n g minor industries, bee keeping on modern methods is developing. The Cyprus
bee is noted for its value in the apiary.
Activity has been shewn in the past, and especially in the last few years, in the In–
dustry of Weaving. A great variety of Silk and Cotton fabric of excellent quality is manu–
factured notwithstanding the fact that their manufacture is condncted in a primitive method
by the means of hand looms which are made locally.
Cotton fabric of various kinds, m a n y of which compete with the European cashmeres
are woven in the looms and sold locally on a large scale for suits ; a large portion of them
is exported.
The art of embroidering is also well advanced, a great number of w o m e n and girls are
engaged on needlework.
N o Government grants for the development of industries has been m a d e during the year.