Makers of white goods have got a touch of the blues, and customers are likely to benefit. Prices of electrical appliances are likely to fall sharply, according to industry sources, as the wet summer and cooler temperatures depressed sales of fans and air conditioners.

At the same time, competition in audio-visual product sales is expected to intensify as manufacturers try to get a share of an anticipated increase in consumer spending in the second half of the year, reports The Bangkok Post.White goods sales are expected to drop to 2.2 billion baht this year from 2.5 billion baht last year, based on a 20 per cent fall for the first five months. Various outlets reported that sales of electric fans and air conditioners dropped by between 20 per cent and 40 per cent from the same period of last year, prompting many distributors to step up efforts to clear stocks in coming months. Price cuts for air conditioners are already under way. Siam Daikin Sales, distributor ofDaikin air conditioners, has reduced prices of 9000 BTU (British thermal unit) products by between 2,800 and 4,000 baht, while Saijo Denki has made cuts starting at 2,000 baht. Toshiba offered 550-baht electric fans free to buyers of its 9000 BTU air-conditioners, but did not lower the price.

Al Tayer to address e-commerce meet

The leadership conference on e-commerce being held by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Microsoft Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean (GEM) will hear the keynote address by Minister of Communications Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer, reports Gulf News.

Al Tayer is expected to outline future development plans for Emirates Telecommunications Corp's (Etisalat) key Internet services, and to address the infrastructural requirements which e-commerce will necessitate."He has expressed a desire to share his vision with Dubai's business and government leaders in order to contribute towards their move to take advantage of the potential for e-commerce, and we are very grateful for hiswhole-hearted support," Chamber director-general Abdul Rahman Al Mutaiwee said.

To be held today, on June 13, the conference has attracted top speakers from around the world and will involve over 300 leaders from business and government sharing ideas, best practices and information as part of Dubai's drive to e-commerce.

Cigna's insurance plan for women

While women accounted for the major growth in life insurance business during the last two years, only 40 per cent of Hong Kong's female population are currently insured, says a study conducted by Cigna Worldwide Insurance, as reported in the Hong Kong Standard.

Cigna introduced its female-oriented insurance plan, called Lady Care Plan, into the local market last week in a bid to boost its share in the women's insurance market.

Cigna claims its Lady Care Plan is the first insurance plan to introduce coverage against female illnesses, from carcinoma in situ to cancer of the breast and cervix uteri.

The plan features greater flexibility forpolicy holders, said Albert Lam, Cigna general manager of agency and business development.

Singapore family in good shape

The family in Singapore is healthy, reports The Straits Times. Generally, families have been able to overcome the problems brought about by the economic downturn and spouses agree with each other on important matters in daily life.

Their main worry is their children's education.

These are some of the findings from a survey of 1,652 people who were asked about family life.Results of the survey, commissioned by the Ministry of Community Development, will be released next month. Giving a sneak preview at the launch of National Family Week at East Coast Park last week, community development minister Abdullah Tarmugi said families spent time together during dinner and after it.