Executive Bed and Board

American businessmen traveling to Lagos should prepare by getting more than just a passport and a yellow-fever shot. These days, they should also bring along an unlimited expense account or a stash of cash. Reason: the capital of Nigeria is now the world's most expensive city, according to Business International, a New York consulting firm. Indeed, with such eye-opening price tags as $156.25 for a hotel room, $625 a week for car rental, $48.88 for a meal for one and $350 for a night on the town with three clients, a businessman's expense statement in Lagos soon begins to resemble this year's budget deficit.

BI semianually ranks the major urban areas, using a weighted cost of living index that includes such items as food, household goods, utilities, alcohol, recreation and entertainment. This year's list contains some old favorites. Tokyo, last year's No. 1, is now in second place. There are also some surprises. Oslo, Djakarta and Baghdad reign as the third, fourth and fifth most expensive cities.

Traveling businessmen should be prepared for some shockers. In Oslo, for example, a Scotch and soda runs nearly $6. A glass of beer in even a modest cafe is $5. In Osaka, Japan, an expatriate housewife will probably pass the supermarket meat counter once she notes the cost of filet mignon: $78.94 for a kilogram (2.2 lbs.). A white shirt in a fashion able Nairobi clothing store can sell for as much as $90.

The good news for executives on the move is that Europe is now classified as a bargain. Only two years ago, travelers needed bundles of money for Britain and most Continental cities. London is now only 6% more expensive than New York, while Rome is 17% cheaper and even Paris is 3% less costly than New York. Vive la difference!

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