According to figures released by the Singapore Tourism Promotion Board (STPB) this year, the Lion City welcomes roughly 6.35 million visitors, and the influx is only expected to grow over the coming months, as Singapore launches its shopping countdown to the millennium.

The campaign has been titled Once-In-A-Millennium (OIM) and has clocked off from June 1999 until August 2000. Not only do the Singaporeans themselves assiduously throng the stores for the best bargaining, this year STPB has special hopes from the Indian and Chinese visitor market as well.

This year the Great Sale has been expanded beyond thetraditional hunting grounds of Orchard Road-the most prestigious shopping area of the city-to include suburban malls such as the North Point, Bugis Junction, Jurong Point, etc.

There is a festive air all over the city. Within the last four years, Singapore has seen a mushrooming of sleek, glass-enclosed shopping malls such as Millennia Walk, Marina Arcade, and Suntec City to name just a few in the area surrounding Orchard Road.

Suntec City released 1,999 voucher-filled balloons from a gigantic shopping bag hung over the fountain for as many lucky shoppers- incidentally the fountain in this mall has made it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's biggest fountain. Funan is the place for IT products, and is having a software and accessories sale; it also has a day dedicated to notebook special. Jurong Point has launched a charity auction with 50 per cent off usual retail prices on products ranging from microwave ovens to CD players to exercise machines. Plaza Singapura has a similar 50 per centoff on cameras and other electrical goods.

Those of you who are frequent visitors to Singapore have no doubt paid obeisance to Mustafa, advertised as the everything-under-one-roof guy, and always but always included in a shoppers pilgrimage. Therefore, it may come as a bit of a shock to hear that his prices are ever so slightly on the high side now and indeed, if you do a bit of scouting around, you may find the same goods cheaper elsewhere.

In fact, a good place to start with is an STPB recommended shop called Budget Electronics, situated in Orchard Towers. It is yet another outlet solely manned by Indians (Sindhis) and they have extremely competitive rates on camcorders, digital video cameras and mobile phones compared with Mustafa (even their exchange rate for the Indian rupee is much better.

Moreover, they accept Indian currency straight away; there is none of that nonsense of joining yet another queue to change your money first. Even the Disney range of footwear for children is much cheaper atSogo than Mustafa. However, Mustafa still offers the best variety in perfumes and aftershaves, so it is still worth a trip.

To enhance the spectacular bargians available in the free Shoppers' Shuttle bus, which runs at 20-minute intervals with pick-up and drop-off points at strategic hotels, shopping plazas and the Singapore Museum. Do not despair -- although this year's sale is officially over -- there are going to be special discounts, lucky draws, and limited editions from various companies all through August next year. And if it's only the word `Sale' that works for you and gives you an extra burst of adrenaline...well, there's always 2000 to look forward to, when the Sale kicks off again towards the end of May for a month-long binge...officially.

Barbie's birthday specials

To celebrate Barbie's 40th birthday in the style to which she is now accustomed to are special edition dolls that begin at a price range of $(Singapore)119 (one Singapore $=Rs 25). Also, there are special edition BarbiePolaroid cameras that come with a special flower surrounded film-only available this year. At Sogo, Raffles City. Also check out the Disney stuff there.

Budget Electronics has the latest Panasonic, Sony digital cameras, Erikssons mobile phones. Price difference according to the model (for example, a Panasonic VX87 model comes at the lowest price at $ (S) 1,130).

Larry Jewellers (Orchard Road) is the sole dealer for the American Lazare Kaplan diamond firm. They have 99 collector's diamonds ranging from 0.20 to 2 carats. What make it so special is that each diamond has YR 2000 inscribed on it, along with a serial number clearly visible through a magnifying glass. Most of the pieces have been sold out before they reached Singapore, so you'll have to hurry a bit. Price $(S)1050 for a 0.20 carat unset diamond.Harley Davidson, Samsonsite and Star Wars paraphernalia are available in plenty.

Organics as well as L'Oreal have launched a complete new range of upmarket products. Swatch will launch two specialedition millennium watches with Singapore motifs on the straps. Will be available from July through till next year. Price not yet known.