Purchase OBG Publications

The government has set a goal of raising ICT’s contribution to the economy from 1.6% of GDP in 2010 to 6% by 2015. Brunei Darussalam has certain demographic advantages, including high literacy and relatively strong per capita consumption of electronic goods, which make this a realistic goal. However, the ICT sector is still quite small and additional work is required to provide better access to reliable, high-speed internet connectivity. The country will also need an increase in the number of young professionals armed with the training and experience necessary to boost the private sector. Individual ICT usage is high, reflecting locals’ love for mobile devices, but more innovation will be required to make ICT one of the economy’s foremost sectors. This chapter contains interviews with Haji Sairul Rhymin CA Mohamed, Chief Operations Officer, Telekom Brunei, and a viewpoint from Haji Yahkup, CEO, Authority for the Info-Communications Technology Industry.

This chapter contains useful information for Brunei Darussalam’s visitors, including hotel listings and contact information for emergency facilities, ministries, missions, banks, airlines, and taxi services, which can assist in making a stay in Brunei Darussalam safe and smooth. The chapter’s Facts for Visitors section offers insight into communications, dress, business culture, language, communications, currency, and obtaining a visa. Finally, the Eye on Conservation offers a nature guide, with particular focus on understanding and protecting the local environment that offers intriguing biodiversity to Brunei Darussalam’s visitors.

This chapter contains updates on the Brunei Darussalam tax system, offering need-to-know information for doing business in the Sultanate. It also contains a tax viewpoint from Pengiran Moksin, President, Brunei Darussalam Institute of Certified Public Accounts, and Partner, Deloitte.

There are two parallel systems of law operating in Brunei Darussalam: English common law and sharia law. This chapter contains information helpful for navigating the Sultanate’s legal climate, particularly in the context of business. It also includes a legal framework viewpoint from Colin Ong, Managing Partner, Dr Colin Ong Legal Services, and President, Arbitration Association of 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 need to attract more foreign firms and foreign direct investment to do so. In land-based activities, restricted capacities and outdated practices have blunted the effectiveness of reform initiatives, and meeting these challenges will continue to define the sector for now. However, the partnerships that have been developed with foreign firms and organisations will deliver the desired re-engineering of sector outputs in the long term. This chapter contains an interview with Richard Chuang, Managing Director, Golden Corporation, and General Manager, Semaun Marine Resources.

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 of balancing the rising cost of care provision while maintaining the quality of its services. Moves toward extending its activities to pharmaceuticals production and health tourism in tertiary cardiac care, cancer and rehabilitation facilities bode well for the sector. One of the key objectives of Brunei Darussalam’s vision for development, Wawasan Brunei 2035, is for its people to be educated and highly skilled. The system is designed to meet the challenges of an ever-changing, competitive and knowledge-based global economy, as well as encouraging lifelong learning and achievement in sport and the arts. This chapter contains interviews with David Willetts, UK Minister for Universities and Science; and Pehin Dato Abu Bakar Apong, Minister of Education.