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Shopping is in the blood of all Indians. We shop all the time, everywhere, and we bargain. No wonder Singapore ranks Indians the highest in spends per capita (per trip) when compared to other visitors to the city-nation.

There is no better place to shop than the four big destinations in Asia "" Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Dubai.

The Great Singapore Sale (GSS) is on till July 22. From fashion apparel to accessories, jewellery, watches, electronic goods, cosmetics, fragrances, and toys, there is an opportunity to shop at amazing prices in Singapore.

Not to be missed are the end-of-season sales from designer labels with discounts up to 50 per cent. Singapore's central shopping belt "" from Orchard Road to Marina Bay "" will buzz with day-and-night activity during the Summer Shopping Season.

You can actually drive across to another splendid shopping destination: Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. The 2007 Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival is on till September 2 for which both SOTC and Thomas Cook have launched travel packages, attractively priced at Rs 19,999 "" which is surely a steal.

There are special offers from many of the malls in Kuala Lumpur. Isetan Kuala Lumpur (at KLCC and Lot 10) has a Traveler Shopping Privilege programme in place, which is valid till the end of the carnival. Based on the programme, tourists can enjoy a 5 per cent rebate on normal-priced merchandise purchased, in the form of rebate vouchers.

This year, Hong Kong is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its return to China and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). On this occasion, the 2007 Hong Kong Shopping Festival, which is on till the end of August, will offer a number of special offers and privileges. There are a number of hot deals in all kinds of cosmetics and skin care products, clothing and accessories, jewellery, watches, consumer electronics "" and, of course, at restaurants.

Singapore seems to have understood the Indian penchant for shopping best of all. Singapore Tourism has co-partnered ICICI Bank for a special promotion. ICICI Bank credit card holders visiting Singapore during May through July will receive a special value deals booklet with additional discounts on select attractions, restaurants and shops.

The Dubai Shopping Festival, though, is at another time of the year. The next edition of the festival will begin sometime in December 2007. If it's shopping in the winter time for you, then Dubai is your best bet.

So what are you waiting for? Don't waste any more time, apply for that week-long leave from work, take your pick from among the shopping festivals and book yourself on a shopping spree!