Construction – and infrastructure development in particular – is expected to be a key driver of economic growth across ASEAN from 2021. The bloc, home to some of the world’s fastest-growing economies and lowest unemployment rates, faced the novel coronavirus after years of health care infrastructure improvements, with much of the group reporting Covid-19 case-fatality rates below the global…
Interview: Bobby Chua To what extent has connectivity improved in recent years, and what can be done to further upgrade Brunei Darussalam’s transport network? BOBBY CHUA: In recent years, the government of Brunei Darussalam has been working aggressively to improve the country’s connectivity, which can be seen through its commitment to oversee major infrastructural projects such as the expansion…
A number of large-scale construction projects are currently being rolled out in Brunei Darussalam that look set to make a significant contribution to the national economy, greatly facilitating the Sultanate’s connectivity and potentially leading to further substantial construction opportunities. In addition, several small-sized infrastructure projects are under way, which promise to add to the Sultanate’s…
The real estate sector in the Brunei Darussalam has undergone a series of transformations in the past few years that have changed the landscape considerably for buyers and sellers alike. These developments encompass changes to title law, loan regulations, ownership and the market itself in terms of demand and the type of housing being built to supply that demand. Behind it all, the government remains…
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is set to allow the free flow of goods, services, investments and skilled labour, while facilitating the movement of capital across the region. Formally established on December 31, 2015, the community is built on a series of agreements and pillars that establish a stable foundation for liberalised trade and economic expansion in the region. The four key pillars include…
As a result of a 2012 law that restricts property ownership in the Sultanate to citizens, as well as plans to institute sharia law in the country, Brunei Darussalam has become a profitable market in which to sell overseas property. Indeed, investment opportunities in Brunei Darussalam’s property market have proved to be unattractive for permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners living in the sultanate…
A number of large-scale infrastructure projects are currently being rolled out in Brunei Darussalam that look set to make a significant contribution to the national economy, greatly facilitating the Sultanate’s connectivity and potentially leading to further construction opportunities. In addition, several small-sized projects are under way, which promise to add to the Sultanate’s attractiveness…
Despite economic and legal changes now under way, Brunei Darussalam remains well positioned to continue on its current trajectory of steady economic growth and political stability. The increasing focus on economic diversification, and the ongoing growth of the non-energy sectors, bodes well for the Bruneian economy, as does further exploration and improved efficiency in the oil and gas industry. F
Interview: Bobby Chua What impact will Brunei Darussalam’s major infrastructural projects have upon completion? BOBBY CHUA: The expansion and renovation of the Brunei International Airport and the mega-bridge projects consisting of the Sungai Brunei Bridge, Temburong Bridge and Pulau Muara Besar Bridge, will positively impact the country through the improvement of connectivity. Developments are…
Limited by strict regulations governing the use of the majority of Brunei Darussalam’s 5765 sq km of land, a heavy public presence in the market and a small population, the country’s real estate sector differs from those of many of its larger neighbours. Several factors continue to drive up demand in the residential market, particularly in the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan. Economic diversification…
