Hengyi Expansion: The $5 billion second phase of Hengyi’s Pulau Muara Besar refinery aims to lift annual capacity from 8 million to 20 million tonnes, with the company targeting a 50% Bruneian workforce once operational. Economic Diversification: Brunei’s non-oil and gas sector grew from 46% of GDP in 2015 to 55% in 2025, while non-oil and gas goods rose to 60% of exports, largely on the back of downstream petroleum and chemicals. Trade Links: Brunei and India discussed expanding market access and cooperation in food, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy; their next Joint Trade Committee meeting will be held in Brunei. Singapore and Brunei have also agreed to strengthen essential-goods supply chains and recognise each other’s halal certificates.
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Business Travel: Bruneian citizens are among those eligible to visit the US for business or tourism without a visa, under its programme covering 42 countries. Downstream Growth: Hengyi Industries has tapped Honeywell for technologies and services for Phase II of its Pulau Muara Besar expansion, which is expected to lift crude-processing capacity to about 20 million tonnes a year. Trade Links: Brunei and India agreed to pursue stronger trade, including Indian agricultural and animal-product exports, with pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy also on the agenda. Halal Commerce: Singapore and Brunei will mutually recognise halal certificates, reducing duplicated certification and easing trade in halal products. Supply Resilience: The two countries also signed a pact to strengthen essential-goods supply chains. Regional Outlook: The IMF says Brunei, as an energy exporter, is benefiting from the energy shock, while warning that persistent volatility and inflation are testing Southeast Asian economies.
Energy Outlook: The IMF says Brunei is among the ASEAN energy exporters benefiting from higher energy prices, while urging fiscal discipline to maintain resilience as shocks fuel regional inflation. Hengyi Expansion: Hengyi Industries has hired Honeywell to supply technology and engineering for Phase II of its Pulau Muara Besar complex, which aims to lift crude-processing capacity to about 20 million tonnes a year and expand higher-value petrochemical production. Trade Links: Brunei and India discussed widening trade, including Indian food and pharmaceutical exports, and cooperation in healthcare and energy. Regional Partnerships: Singapore and Brunei signed agreements to recognise each other’s halal certificates and strengthen essential-goods supply resilience, easing processes for businesses and supporting trade. Consumer Protection: Brunei issued 29 fines totalling B$18,000 for health-product offences in the first nine months of 2026.
Downstream Investment: Hengyi Industries has hired Honeywell to supply process technologies, equipment and technical support for Phase II of its Pulau Muara Besar complex. The planned expansion would lift crude-processing capacity to about 20 million tonnes a year, strengthening Brunei’s downstream sector. Trade Links: Brunei and India agreed to advance market access and business exchanges, with agriculture, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy among the areas targeted for cooperation. Supply Resilience: Singapore and Brunei have formalised cooperation to keep essential goods flowing during disruptions, covering food, crude oil, fuel and medical supplies. Singapore and Brunei also agreed to recognise each other’s halal certificates, easing certification for businesses and supporting halal trade. Economic Outlook: The IMF says Brunei and Malaysia are benefiting from energy-market shocks as exporters; Brunei’s 2026 growth is projected at 1.9%.
Business Regulation: Brunei issued B$18,000 in fines for health-product offences from January to September, including unlicensed sales and products with prohibited or undeclared ingredients. Trade and Investment: Thailand and Brunei discussed expanding investment, food-trade resilience and Islamic finance cooperation. India and Brunei also agreed to advance trade, with agricultural goods, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy among areas for closer collaboration. Halal Trade: Singapore and Brunei agreed to recognise each other’s halal certificates, a move expected to cut duplicate certification and ease trade in halal products. Supply Chains: A separate Singapore-Brunei pact covers essential goods including food, fuel and medical supplies, building on bilateral goods trade worth S$2.32 billion in 2025. Export Access: The UK added Brunei to a general licence for specified dual-use technologies, including some advanced and semiconductor-related products; exporters must still check whether individual items qualify. Regional Connectivity: A proposed Trans-Borneo railway route would link Sarawak’s towns and ports through Brunei, but funding, governance and implementation plans remain under review.
Trade and Healthcare: India and Brunei agreed to expand bilateral trade, with agricultural and animal products among the areas targeted for greater market access. Pharmaceuticals, healthcare services and energy were also identified for closer cooperation. Halal Business: Singapore and Brunei signed an agreement to recognise each other’s halal certificates, aiming to cut duplicate certification and make cross-border trade easier while maintaining consumer confidence. Supply Resilience: A separate Singapore–Brunei pact covers essential goods including food, crude oil, fuel and medical supplies, strengthening cooperation to keep supplies moving during disruptions. Regional Connectivity: Sarawak’s proposed Trans-Borneo Railway would pass through Brunei, linking population centres, industrial areas and ports; Malaysia is still assessing funding, governance, land needs and implementation. Growth Outlook: The IMF projects Brunei’s economy to grow 1.9% in 2026, below most ASEAN economies.
Cross-Borneo Connectivity: A proposed railway would link Sarawak’s major towns and ports, cross Brunei and connect with Sabah and Kalimantan. Malaysia is still assessing funding, governance and land requirements, with phased construction recommended. Supply Chain Resilience: Brunei and Singapore signed an agreement to protect the flow of essential goods during disruptions, covering food, oil, fuel and medical supplies. Singapore was Brunei’s fourth-largest goods-trading partner in 2025, with trade worth S$2.32 billion. Growth Outlook: The IMF projects Brunei’s economy to grow 1.9% in 2026, the slowest rate among Southeast Asian economies in its forecast, as regional businesses face energy-price volatility and other external shocks. Industry and Research: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor will explore joint research, internships and commercialising research, aiming to build local skills and support economic diversification.
Supply Resilience: Brunei and Singapore signed a pact covering food, crude oil, fuel and medical supplies during disruptions. Singapore was Brunei’s fourth-largest goods trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade of S$2.32 billion. Research and Industry: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor will work together on research, innovation and commercialising research, with plans for training and industry placements. Capital Markets: Baiduri Bank has established its first debt-issuance programme, broadening its access to international capital. Skills: Brunei ranked fourth in a global comparison of science and engineering graduates, with these fields accounting for 35.86% of graduates.
Supply Chains: Brunei and Singapore signed an MoU to keep essential goods flowing during crises, covering food, crude oil, fuel and medical supplies. Singapore was Brunei’s fourth-largest goods trading partner in 2025, with bilateral trade worth S$2.32 billion. Regional Risks: ASEAN ministers are set to discuss transboundary haze next month after fires in Indonesia affected Brunei and neighbouring countries. Malaysia says haze is not covered by existing ASEAN disaster mechanisms. Research and Industry: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor will pursue joint research, innovation and commercialisation, alongside training and placements to build local industry skills. Finance: Baiduri Bank has established its first medium-term note programme, broadening its access to global capital markets.
Supply Chains: Singapore and Brunei signed a pact covering essential goods including food, crude oil, fuel and medical supplies, reinforcing commitments under ASEAN’s trade agreement. Bilateral goods trade reached S$2.32 billion in 2025, when Singapore was Brunei’s fourth-largest trading partner. Research and Industry: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor will pursue joint research, innovation and commercialisation, with plans for internships and staff exchanges to build local skills. Finance: Baiduri Bank has launched its first medium-term note programme, widening its access to global capital markets. Development Partnerships: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank Group launched their first Country Engagement Framework to strengthen strategic cooperation. Regional Trade: India and ASEAN are accelerating talks to update their goods-trade pact, with the next committee meeting set for January 2027.
Regional Energy: ASEAN’s power-grid plans could spur investment, but businesses say regulatory clarity is still missing. A regional report also places Brunei in the “foundational” stage of battery-storage readiness. Trade: ASEAN’s free-trade framework has nearly eliminated tariffs, yet intra-regional trade remains stuck at 21%–25% of total trade. Research and Industry: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor will explore joint research, consultancy and commercialisation, including training and placements, supporting local skills and economic diversification. Capital and Development: Baiduri Bank has launched its first EMTN programme to expand access to global capital markets, while Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank have launched a country engagement framework to deepen cooperation. Travel: Taiwan extended visa-free entry for Bruneians until July 31, 2027, supporting regional travel and tourism.
Research and Industry: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor signed an MoU to collaborate on research, innovation and commercialising research, with plans for internships and staff exchanges to build local skills. Banking: Baiduri Bank established a US$2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it the option to raise funds from international investors and diversify its funding sources. Economic Cooperation: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank Group launched a country engagement framework to strengthen strategic cooperation. Energy Security: Brunei is among 11 countries in an AZEC work programme to improve oil stockpiling infrastructure and coordinate emergency responses to supply disruptions. Trade: India and ASEAN agreed to speed up talks to modernise their goods trade pact, with Brunei among the participating members.
Research & Industry: Universiti Brunei Darussalam and AmiproSimpor have signed an MoU covering joint research, innovation and commercialisation, alongside internships and staff exchanges to build local skills and support economic diversification. Banking & Finance: Baiduri Bank has established a US$2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it a platform to raise funds internationally and diversify its funding sources. Development Cooperation: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first Country Engagement Framework to strengthen strategic cooperation. Regional Trade: Brunei joined India and ASEAN partners in pushing to speed up the review of their trade-in-goods agreement, with the next meeting set for January 2027. Borneo Investment: Indonesia’s Nusantara will host the 2027 Borneo Economic Forum, focused on cross-border business links and investment in areas including energy, connectivity and digital infrastructure.
Energy Security: Brunei is among 11 countries advancing an Asia-wide oil stockpiling programme, including plans to improve storage infrastructure and coordinate emergency releases. Regional Trade: India and ASEAN agreed to speed up pending chapters in their trade-in-goods pact, with Brunei among the participating members; the next meeting is scheduled for January 2027. Borneo Investment: Nusantara will host the 2027 Borneo Economic Forum, which aims to build cross-border partnerships in energy, connectivity, digital infrastructure and industry. Banking: Baiduri Bank established a US$2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it a platform to raise funds internationally and broaden its investor base. Development Finance: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first Country Engagement Framework to guide strategic cooperation.
Energy Security: Brunei is among 11 countries backing an AZEC work programme to strengthen oil-stockpiling infrastructure and coordinate emergency releases, as regional concern grows over supply disruptions. Trade: Brunei took part in India-ASEAN talks to speed up the review of their goods trade pact, with negotiators targeting progress on outstanding chapters before the next meeting in January 2027. Banking: Baiduri Bank has established a US$2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it a route to international debt markets and a broader funding base. Development: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched a 2026–28 cooperation framework focused on diversification, private-sector growth, SMEs, food security and Islamic finance. Borneo Business: Indonesia’s Nusantara is set to host the Borneo Economic Forum in 2027, aimed at building cross-border partnerships in sectors including energy, connectivity and digital development.
Energy Security: Brunei and 10 other AZEC members agreed to plans to strengthen oil-stockpiling infrastructure and coordinate emergency responses. The Philippines is also studying whether it could host a regional reserve hub. Trade: Brunei took part in India–ASEAN talks to fast-track the AITIGA review, with pending chapters assigned time-bound deliverables and the next meeting set for January 2027. Borneo Investment: Indonesia’s Nusantara will host the 2027 Borneo Economic Forum, aimed at building cross-border partnerships in energy, connectivity, digital services and industry. Banking: Baiduri Bank established a US$2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it more funding options and access to international investors. Development Finance: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first country framework for 2026–28, targeting economic diversification, private-sector growth, food security and Islamic finance.
Energy Security: Brunei is among 11 countries backing an AZEC work plan to strengthen oil-stockpiling infrastructure and coordinate emergency releases, as regional supply risks persist. Business Links: Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s Brunei visit includes the delivery of four fire vehicles developed by Singapore’s HOPE Technik and customised for Brunei. Banking: Baiduri Bank has established a USD2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it more flexibility to raise funds internationally and diversify its funding sources. Development Finance: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first country framework for 2026–2028, targeting economic diversification, small businesses, food security and Islamic finance. Trade Costs: Maersk will add peak-season surcharges on shipments from Southeast Asia, including Brunei, to Australia and other Oceania destinations from 1 November.
Regional Energy Security: Brunei is among the countries involved in an Asia-wide oil stockpiling work programme agreed by the Asia Zero Emission Community. The Philippines is studying a regional reserve site as it plans its own national stockpile by 2027. Bank Funding: Baiduri Bank has established a US$2 billion Euro Medium Term Note programme, giving it the option to raise funds in international markets and broaden its investor base. Development Partnerships: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first Country Engagement Framework for 2026–28, targeting economic diversification, Islamic finance, food security and support for small businesses. Trade Costs: Maersk will add peak-season surcharges from 1 November on shipments from Southeast Asia, including Brunei, to Oceania—raising costs for regional exporters and importers.
Productivity: The Asian Productivity Organization’s 2026 databook includes Brunei in its full productivity accounts, comparing economic performance across 28 Asian economies and providing projections through 2035. Development Finance: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first country framework for 2026–2028, targeting economic diversification, private-sector growth, Islamic finance, food security and support for small businesses. Trade Costs: Maersk will add peak-season surcharges to Southeast Asia–Oceania shipments from 1 November, including Brunei-origin cargo: US$500 per 20-foot container and US$1,000 per 40-foot container to Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Automotive: Subaru has returned to Brunei through Imperial Motors, with a new showroom offering vehicle sales, servicing and aftersales support.
Development Finance: Brunei and the Islamic Development Bank launched their first Country Engagement Framework for 2026–2028, targeting economic diversification, private-sector growth, Islamic finance, food security and SME development. The framework is intended to turn shared priorities into projects aligned with Wawasan Brunei 2035. Productivity: The Asian Productivity Organization’s new databook includes Brunei in its full productivity accounts, offering comparisons across 28 economies and projections through 2035. Across APO members, annual labour-productivity growth slowed to 2.5% in 2019–2024, from 2.9% in 2015–2019. Shipping Costs: Maersk will add peak-season charges to dry-container shipments from Southeast Asia to Oceania from 1 November. Brunei is among the 11 Southeast Asian countries covered, raising costs for businesses shipping to Australia and other destinations. Connectivity: Shenzhen Airlines’ new direct Brunei–Shenzhen service, launched on 30 September, adds a link to China’s Greater Bay Area that could support trade, investment and business travel.
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