Brunei Darussalam

Brunei Darussalam's economy has received somewhat mixed reviews in two internationally recognised reports, having been rated by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as the number one country globally in terms of macroeconomic stability but also well down the rankings when it comes to ease of conducting business.

Brunei Darussalam’s crucial energy sector, the foundation of the country’s wealth, is expected to get a series of boosts, with major developments both upstream and downstream.

Brunei Darussalam has long harboured ambitions of becoming a major transport and trans-shipment hub for the East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), as well as taking an increased slice of the trade from regional giants such as China and Singapore.

Brunei Darussalam’s banks seem to be weathering both the slowdown of the domestic market and the world’s financial sector, buoyed by their own sound loan positions and comprehensive state measures.

One of the key pillars of Vision 2035, the long-term blueprint for the future of Brunei Darussalam, is to encourage investment in downstream industries as well as in economic clusters beyond the oil and gas industry To support this ambitious plan, the state is working to boost the country's transport system and thus allow a more effective transfer of raw materials and goods, while also developing the country as a cargo transit hub for the region.

Brunei's real estate sector appears to be little affected by the global recession, with transaction levels remaining stable and prices relatively flat, though it is unlikely the property market will experience strong growth in the short term due to a number of issues limiting investment activity.