Economy

This chapter contains a guide to the Sultanate’s best hotels and apartments, telephone numbers for ministries, embassies and other important institutions, and useful information for first-time visitors to the country.

One of the largest exporters of oil and gas in South-east Asia, Brunei Darussalam has long benefitted from its strong trade relationships with Japan, China and its ASEAN neighbours, building a robust trade surplus in the years to 2014 on the back of rising exports and elevated petroleum prices. The oil market’s mid-2014 turnaround has had a dramatic impact on the Sultanate’s trade balance,...

A high-income country with vast petroleum wealth, robust fiscal reserves and a small, highly- educated population, Brunei Darussalam is unique among the ASEAN community. Oil and gas resources have generated high per-capita income, although the economy has contracted in recent years as a result of falling oil and gas prices, which account for more than 90% of export revenues. Although...

While both 2015 and 2016 have held numerous important changes for Brunei Darussalam, the nation has long maintained its unique balance of tradition and modernity. Classified as a unitary Islamic monarchy, the Sultanate has maintained a stable form of government since its independence in 1984. Historically, the oil and gas industry has dominated the Bruneian economy and has allowed the...

This chapter contains a selection of leading hotels and resorts, contact details of ministries, associations and services, tips for business travellers, and a feature piece on the Danum Valley.