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Stories (5)
Brunei's Fragile Stability Under Sultan Bolk
Brunei’s 2025 was defined by political continuity under Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, with incremental reforms and technocratic governance. The regime’s stability relies heavily on centralized authority, making succession a looming risk given the Sultan’s advancing age. Economically, growth stagnated in 2025 as softer energy prices and maintenance in oil and gas dampened activity, underscoring ongoing dependence on hydrocarbons. The government pursued resilient, risk‑aware policie
2026-05-24Brunei's Growth Model Faces Major Challenges
Brunei’s traditional, hydrocarbon-led growth model has delivered stability and high living standards but is now strained by lower oil-and-gas revenues, market volatility, and structural constraints. To sustain prosperity and reach Wawasan 2035, Brunei should pursue a reform path built on three pillars: - Private-sector dynamism: reduce state-led dominance, reorient government toward enabling private initiative, encourage risk-taking, and deepen regional and strategic trade c
2026-05-24Brunei Defense White Paper 2021 Insights
Summary: - Brunei released Defense White Paper 2021 (May 31) under Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, framing the sultanate’s approach to security amid regional dynamics during Brunei’s ASEAN chairmanship. - The 100-page document outlines Brunei’s strategic context (five key challenges: major power dynamics, regional/global instability, terrorism/violent extremism, technology, natural disasters), defense strategy (ends, ways, means), and strategic defense capability requirements (train
2026-05-24Brunei's $6.3B Supply Bill for Fiscal Health
Summary tailored to your query about Brunei’s foreign policy, politics, diplomacy, elections, economy, and security: - Budget context and economy: Brunei tables a B$6.3 billion supply bill for FY 2026/27, prioritizing fiscal prudence while supporting long-term development. The government expects a fiscal deficit to persist into the coming year, with no updated deficit figures yet released. Growth in 2025 was 0.7%, driven by a 3.1% oil & gas uptick but a 1.5% decline in non-o
2026-05-24Brunei Economic Outlook 2024
Summary tailored to your query: Brunei Economic Outlook 2024 - Focus: Independent macroeconomic analysis and prospects for Brunei in 2024, with emphasis on growth drivers, risks, and policy implications for policymakers, industry players, and the public. - Key economic outlook: - Growth: Brunei GDP projected to grow about 2.7% in 2024, driven mainly by a recovery in oil and gas, and downstream sectors returning to historical trends. - Oil & gas: Mining segment expected t
2026-05-24