SINGAPORE – Local residents and tourists mobbed the recent four-day information technology (IT) fair here as organizers expect to surpass the $45 million (Singapore dollar) sales target.
The 2009 Sitex IT show at the Singapore Expo was held until November 29, attracting thousands of people wanting to buy IT products such as laptops, digital cameras, desktop computers, cellphones, televisions and media players.
Sitex organizer SingExhibitions has yet to issue the exact amount of the fair’s net sales as of press time.
But, in press statements, organizers believe it would surpass their target as the economy in Singapore and nearby countries in Asia steadily recovered from the effects of last year’s global economic crisis.
“I made sure I get the November 29 flight at Clark to make it to the last day of the Sitex fair,” said Maria Belnas of Angeles City, Philippines. She was one of the passengers of the fully-booked 5J 537 Clark-Singapore Cebu Pacific Airlines flight which arrived at the Changi airport here at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Sitex fair starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.
“You get the best quality of IT products at much lower prices compared to the prices of the same products in the Philippines,” Belnas said.
She added that mini laptops cost about P20,000 each in her native country but only cost some P15,000 at the fair.
“So if you are buying at least two laptops, you save about P10,000,” she added.
The Singapore government gave “tax rebate” to Belnas and other tourists as part its promotion to attract visitors to purchase products here.
Belnas will refund about 6 percent of the total amount she bought at the IT fair.
In the wesbite of the Sitex fair, people are advised not to bring toddlers and heavy bags because they expect huge volume of customers.
Punto Central Luzon was able to observe the IT fair on November 29 and saw people mobbed the venue. This reporter also witnessed several Filipinos at venue, some of whom are working in the fair.
The Sitex fair and exhibition is the longest running IT fair here. It began in 1988.
At least two IT shows, including Sitex, are held twice-a-year in this city-state. The other is Comex.
The 2009 Sitex IT show at the Singapore Expo was held until November 29, attracting thousands of people wanting to buy IT products such as laptops, digital cameras, desktop computers, cellphones, televisions and media players.
Sitex organizer SingExhibitions has yet to issue the exact amount of the fair’s net sales as of press time.
But, in press statements, organizers believe it would surpass their target as the economy in Singapore and nearby countries in Asia steadily recovered from the effects of last year’s global economic crisis.
“I made sure I get the November 29 flight at Clark to make it to the last day of the Sitex fair,” said Maria Belnas of Angeles City, Philippines. She was one of the passengers of the fully-booked 5J 537 Clark-Singapore Cebu Pacific Airlines flight which arrived at the Changi airport here at about 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Sitex fair starts at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.
“You get the best quality of IT products at much lower prices compared to the prices of the same products in the Philippines,” Belnas said.
She added that mini laptops cost about P20,000 each in her native country but only cost some P15,000 at the fair.
“So if you are buying at least two laptops, you save about P10,000,” she added.
The Singapore government gave “tax rebate” to Belnas and other tourists as part its promotion to attract visitors to purchase products here.
Belnas will refund about 6 percent of the total amount she bought at the IT fair.
In the wesbite of the Sitex fair, people are advised not to bring toddlers and heavy bags because they expect huge volume of customers.
Punto Central Luzon was able to observe the IT fair on November 29 and saw people mobbed the venue. This reporter also witnessed several Filipinos at venue, some of whom are working in the fair.
The Sitex fair and exhibition is the longest running IT fair here. It began in 1988.
At least two IT shows, including Sitex, are held twice-a-year in this city-state. The other is Comex.
