Country Profile
From The Report: Brunei Darussalam 2013
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Lodged between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei Darussalam is located on the north-west coast of Borneo, in the South China Sea. The Sultanate has a young population, with around 54% of Bruneians under the age of 30. The country also has one of the highest per capita GDPs in the region, hitting just over $48,000. This ranks Brunei Darussalam second only to Singapore within the 10-nation ASEAN bloc. The main language is Malay, although English is widely spoken and is the principle language of business. Much of the nation’s revenue comes from oil and natural gas, but other resources include timber and aquaculture. Free health care and education are testaments to the government’s dedication to the populace’s wellbeing. However, to sustain this success, the government has realised the need to increase value-added, downstream services within the oil and gas industry while developing industries outside the energy sector.

This chapter contains interviews with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and Kim Sung-Hwan, Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs ad Trade, as well as a viewpoint from Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Steeped in tradition: With a long history stretching back centuries, the country is also looking ahead towards a promising future
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Steeped in the history and traditions of South-east Asia and of the island of Borneo, the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam is an ancient nation. Strategically located in a fast-growing and fast-changing region, it has also long been a haven of stability and continuity. Indeed, the current ruler, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, is the most recent in a line of rulers stretching back to the 14th century. YOUTHFUL PRESENT: Yet for all its legacies and traditions, Brunei Darussalam is…

Analysis

Diplomacy rules: Regional disputes will keep the country busy as ASEAN chair in 2013
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The year 2013 will see Brunei Darussalam take over as chair of the ASEAN. It does so at a time when the 10-nation grouping is facing serious challenges. The role also presents the Sultanate with an opportunity to showcase its talents in the diplomatic sphere before a larger, global audience. A number of foreign analysts and local and international leaders have expressed their confidence that the country will be able to rise to the occasion, demonstrating its ability to bring about consensus…

Viewpoint

Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore, on strategic relations
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Singapore and Brunei Darussalam have been close friends for more than half a century. Our special relationship is underpinned by our shared strategic challenges, wide-ranging cooperation and strong personal ties at all levels. Singapore strongly supports Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship of ASEAN during 2013. ASEAN is important to both Singapore and Brunei Darussalam, its two smallest members. Singapore has been a founder member of ASEAN since 1967. Brunei Darussalam joined shortly after…

Analysis

Wider and closer: Implementing ASEAN agreements means more open markets
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The Sultanate has long been a relatively open economy, encouraging international trade and investment. Tariff barriers have historically been low, with these continuing to fall as the country widens its participation in international trading agreements and organisations. This trend is due to accelerate as ASEAN, which Brunei Darussalam will chair in 2013, moves towards a more integrated common market by 2015. LOOKING AHEAD: Indeed, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which begins in 2015,…

Overview

Moving forward: Pushing ahead with reforms in pursuit of diversification
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The Sultanate has introduced a variety of reforms across all its sectors with the aim of diversifying the economy. The government is focused on making the most of ASEAN’s recent surge in growth by attracting foreign direct investment. To achieve this goal the state has realigned its reforms to improve the country’s ranking on the World Bank’s “Ease of Doing Business” index, by which it is currently ranked 83 worldwide. ECONOMY: Although the majority of the world is still feeling…

Interview

OBG talks to Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade
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Interview: Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng How can Brunei Darussalam foster relationships with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to encourage more investment and tourism? PEHIN DATO LIM JOCK SENG: Brunei Darussalam and GCC states share many political, economic and religious traits that give rise to opportunities for stronger economic cooperation and could also position the Sultanate as a viable investment partner and a potential tourism destination. Given our similar economic structures and…

Interview

OBG talks to Kim Sung-Hwan, Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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Interview: Kim Sung-Hwan How would you assess Republic of Korea-Brunei Darussalam bilateral relations and economic ties, and how can these be deepened? KIM SUNG-HWAN: Korea-Brunei Darussalam bilateral relations and economic ties are in excellent shape. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1984, right after the independence of Brunei Darussalam, and we have maintained close cooperative ties over the past three decades. As Brunei Darussalam chairs ASEAN in 2013, I expect greater…