DUBAI, ABU DHABI MORE COSTLY FOR EXPATS

By Muin Abdul Majid

DUBAI, March 11 (Bernama) -- Dubai has emerged as the most expensive city
in the Gulf region for expatriates, according to a new survey.

It rose 26 places to No. 53 of 132 cities in the world while United
Arab Emirates' capital, Abu Dhabi, rose 15 places from last year to No. 80,
The Nation reported, citing a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

Abu Dhabi and Dubai moved up the global rankings due to the strength of the
dirham, which is pegged to the United States dollar, according to the daily.

It said the survey was done to help companies calculate allowances for
executives and their families sent overseas.

The EIU report indicated that at No. 32, Tel Aviv remained the most
expensive city in the Middle East.

Libya's capital Tripoli, at No. 127, was among the most economical cities
in the region while the Iranian capital, Tehran, was also among the 10 cheapest
cities in the world, at No. 131.

Carried out last month, the survey showed that the strong yen made Tokyo
and Osaka the world's most expensive cities for expatriates.

The previous survey was carried out in September last year, according to
the daily.

-- BERNAMA