Brunei Darussalam

Growing global food insecurity has turned Brunei Darussalam’s attention back toward its farms. The government has set a goal of 60% self-sufficiency by 2015, though it is unlikely this will be achieved in that time. Self-sufficiency in rice, fruits and vegetables stood at 4.4%, 15.4% and 62.8%, respectively, in 2011. The government has planned to expand rice cultivation to some 5000 ha, but will...

Brunei Darussalam’s universal health care system has helped it meet most of the health care targets set out in the UN Millennium Development Goals by the World Health Organisation. The country has the second-highest life expectancy rate among ASEAN countries. Non-communicable diseases like cancer are now the biggest concerns and, as the price of health care rises, the Sultanate is in the process...

With a near-pristine environmental record and more than 70% of its territory covered by tropical rainforest, Brunei Darussalam has strong potential to capture a sizeable share of the growing Asian ecotourism and family holiday market. The country is host to an abundance of natural attractions, from rainforests to beaches, rare wildlife to the legacy of tribal cultures, and a rich vein of Islamic...

With ample energy resources, Brunei Darussalam is working to build a stronger industrial base using its access to cheap power and petroleum products. Downstream industries have already seen significant successes, and efforts are also being made in unrelated sectors, specifically in halal products, where the Sultanate has resources and expertise. High-tech industries are also attracting...

Several years of strong investment, mainly driven by government initiatives to improve infrastructure and address a housing shortage, have boosted Brunei Darussalam’s construction industry. Major on-going projects include upgrades to the Brunei International Airport, as well as the construction of the Brunei Cancer Centre, the Prime Minister’s Office and several key roads and bridges. It is also...

ASEAN is set to declare itself a common market at the end of 2015, in a move that will create new opportunities for investors in a region the boasts not only some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, but also an expanding middle class. Current estimates for the combines GDP of ASEAN nations have been put at around $2.3trn, with this figure set to rise to $10trn by 2030. Economic growth in...