Trade & Investment

Driven mainly by offshore oil and gas infrastructure, Brunei Darussalam had an estimated stock of $14.2bn of inward foreign direct investment as of the end of 2013, equal to around $35,000 per capita. The country actively recruits foreign investment, offering generous tax incentives to targeted projects that bring in high-paying jobs, help diversify the economy, add value to existing oil and gas production, or efficiently substitute for imports. Foreign investors are paying close attention to how Brunei Darussalam handles its transition into sharia law. Although the Sultanate is not believed to be aiming for a radical implementation, there is concern that any sharia case opened against a foreigner could potentially damage the sense of security to which foreign investors and experienced professionals have grown accustomed.

This chapter contains interviews with Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II; Jun Yanai, Senior Executive Vice-President and CEO, Energy Business Group, Mitsubishi Corporation; and Kevin Speed, Vice-President and Regional Business Leader, CAE Asia; as well as a viewpoint from Xi Jinping, President of China.