Business Notes

The strong dollar enables most American executives abroad to live the good life, but not everywhere. Lagos is the most expensive city in the world for foreigners. According to a survey published last week by Business International, a Genevabased consulting firm, the Nigerian capital is 46% more expensive than New York City, largely because of a booming black market.

Tokyo rates as the second most expensive city, 18% above New York, although the dollar's strength means that prices there are less exorbitant than in the past. Anyone who needs another reason not to go to Tehran will be happy to know that it now ranks third, 16% above New York. American cities, including Chicago (No. 5), San Francisco (No. 6) and New York (No. 7), claim five of the top ten spots.

Once exorbitant European cities are now less expensive than American ones. Geneva is 26% cheaper than New York City, while it now costs an executive 37% less to live in London, 30% less in Paris and 35% less in Frankfurt, West < Germany. The least expensive major city in the world is Belgrade, where the cost of living it up is 60% lower than in New York City.