Singapore leaps HK for expat costs: Survey

SINGAPORE - Singapore has overtaken Hong Kong to become the third costliest economy in Asia for expatriates' daily needs because of its strengthening currency, human resource firm ECA International said on Wednesday.

It said the Singapore dollar, which has surged by more than 10 percent against the US dollar, pushed the city-state to third place above Hong Kong, with Japan and South Korea remaining the two most expensive economies.

ECA International carries out a survey twice a year by measuring a basket of common items purchased by expatriates in more than 400 locations globally, such as dairy produce, vegetables, clothing and meals out.