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Cheaper Computers Cut Education Bill
By M K Anwar

Bandar Seri Begawan - The recorded increase of computer literacy due to the ever decreasing cost of computers and other IT paraphernalia has in turn reduced the nation's education bill.

The decreasing prices of computers and accessories have been noted in the Consumer Price Index for 2006 released by the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE).

The CPI reflects the price changes of goods and services in the country, and last year, inflation was at 0.2 per cent, down from 1.1 per cent in 2005. This was lower than the projected 0.5 per cent by IMF last year.

In the latest figures, the decreasing cost of computers has resulted in the lowering cost of education in the country by 0.3 per cent last year.

Computer retailers noted that the lowering prices of computers and accessories was due to the increase in demand for desktop and laptop computers last year and competition has been very fierce.

"There have been a lot of IT expos held

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last year and many retailers have been offering computers at bargain prices to attract customers," a distributor noted.

Added to this is the 0.2 per cent increase of last year's CPI in lowering prices in the communication sector. It was stated that last year saw cheaper prices of selected mobile phones and accessories. Overall the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in 2006 saw an increase of only 0.2 per cent from the previous year with an index of 102.5.

The rise of the yearly CPI has been attributed to the rising cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages by 0.3 per cent. This is the result of higher prices of fresh and frozen meat, fish, vegetables as well as milk, butter, dried and preserved fruits, carbonated drinks and spices.

Rising cost in medical and health, recreation and entertainment, miscellaneous goods and services were also noted in the latest CPI from the Department of Economic Planning and Development (JPKE).

The cost of medical and dental treatment, for example, rose by 0.1 per cent which led to higher medical and health cost. For recreation and entertainment, the 6.2 per cent increase compared to 2005 was due to the higher prices of holiday packages being offered.

A tour operator told the Bulletin that the increase in holiday packages was the result of fuel surcharges of some airlines on passengers due to the oil price increase.

Year 2006 also saw an increase in cigarettes retail prices and women's personal effects which increased the overall cost for goods and services by 2.5 per cent. There has been an increase in prices of several cigarette brands throughout last year. This is the third year running since 2004 that the costs for goods and services have been increasing.

Clothing and footwear fell by 1.5 per cent in 2006 as a result of cheaper prices in ready-made clothing, materials and footwear.

The 2006 CPI also indicated the falling prices of transportation by 1.3 per cent because of cheaper prices of cars.

Auto dealers have been busy intensifying their sales strategies to lure customers and there has been a trend of zero deposit payment. Dealers have been bringing in smaller, cheaper cars to suit the zero deposit schemes. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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