BRUNEI
DARUSSALAM
The State of Brunei Darussalam ("Abode of Peace") is a sultanate organized in four districts. It became independent from the United Kingdom in 1984 after almost a century as a British protectorate. Since the 1970s, the sultanate has grown with such speed that it has become an industrialized country.
The main wealth of Brunei comes from its deposits of oil and natural gas, thanks to which the sultanate is located in the fifth place of the world list of income per capita, in addition to having the second highest index of human development of all the Southeast Asia after Singapore. According to Forbes, Brunei is the fifth richest nation in the world, and CNN says it is the country in the world with the lowest public debt.
The Brunei government recognizes that the country's dependence on its natural reserves is not economically sustainable, so it is implementing policies that aim to diversify the economy into new sectors. Its twenty-year strategic plan includes developments in education, infrastructure, local businesses and institutional development. In order to foster long-term economic stability, the plan indicates that the government will increase its efforts to promote tourism, Islamic banking and manufacturing.
A curious fact: Fernando de Magallanes and Juan Sebastián Elcano passed through what was the Bruneian maritime empire in 1521, a year after having passed through Chile.
Population:
418,000
(2017)
GDP (USD):
12.13 billion
(2017)
GDP Growth rate:
1.6%
(2018 forecast)
General Information
Main languages:
Malay (official), English
Capital:
Bandar Seri Begawan
Key cities:
Kuala Belait, Seria
Currency:
Brunei Dollar (BND)
Official religion:
Islam
Economic Composition
Brunei is a HIGH income DEVELOPED
economy
Why Brunei?
-
ASEAN petroleum giant
-
Growing reputation in HALAL certification
-
More than 30 industrial parks
Main Industries
Petroleum
Natural gas
Petrochemicals
High growth Sectors
Halal industry
Business services
Technology & creative industries