Country Profile
Overview
The Islamic state of Brunei Darussalam, located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, surrounded by the state of Sarawak, Malaysia, regained its independence in 1984 and is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Economic growth during the 1990s and 2000s, averaging 56% from 1999 to 2008, has transformed Brunei into a newly industrialised country. It has developed wealth from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. Brunei has the second-highest Human Development Index among the South East Asia nations after Singapore. . The IMF estimated in 2011 that Brunei was one of two countries (the other being Libya) with a public debt at 0% of the national GDP.
Trade, Services and Investment
New Zealand maintains friendly relations with Brunei and enjoys cooperation in many areas including trade, investment, education and defence. New Zealand’s main exports continue to be dairy products, valued at about NZ$3 million. The official trade figures, however, do not reflect considerable quantities of New Zealand products shipped to
Brunei from traders based in Singapore and Malaysia. Opportunities for NZ are arising from Brunei’s plans to diversify from their erstwhile dependence on oil.
Brunei and New Zealand are partners in the AANZFTA and the P4. They are also currently negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership involving all 16 East Asia Summit members.
Country Statistics
Constitutional: Constitutional Sultanate
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Big Cities: Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong
Head of State: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
Population: 422,675 (July 2014 est)
GDP: $22.25 billion (2013 est.)
GDP per capita: $54,800 (2013 est.)
Total Export Trade: $12.75 billion (2011)
Main Exports: crude oil, natural gas, garments
Total Import Trade: $3.02 billion (2011 est.)Main Imports: iron and steel, motor vehicles, machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals
Exports to NZ
NZ$597 million (2013)
Main exports to NZ
Crude, petroleum, oils
Imports from NZ
NZ$7 million (2013)
Main Imports from NZ
Dairy, apples and frozen fish
Total FDI
http://www.asean.org/news/item/foreign-direct-investment-statistics
US $908 million (2013 est)
Key bilateral services
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Asia-South-and-Southeast/Brunei.php
Air Services, Education
Trade agreement(s) with NZ
• Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (SEP)
http://asean.wisdomhealthprosperity.net/asean/free-trade-agreements-and-international-partnerships/
• ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) Agreement:
http://asean.wisdomhealthprosperity.net/asean/free-trade-agreements-and-international-partnerships/
Quick Links
Tariff Finder: http://asean.fta.govt.nz/tariff-finder
NZ Government Travel Advice: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/south-east-asia
Currency Converter: http://asean.fta.govt.nz/currency-converter
ANZBC Brunei Chapter Chair
http://asean.org.nz/about-us/executive-committee/
Doing Business in ASEAN – Brunei
NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade Country profile:
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Asia-South-and-Southeast/Brunei.php
NZTE Market Overview
https://www.nzte.govt.nz/en/export/export-markets/east-asia/brunei-darussalam/
Latest monthly trade with NZ
Trade by Commodity: http://asean.wisdomhealthprosperity.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/NZ-ASEAN-Merchandise-Trade-Summary-July-2014.pdf
Trade with ASEAN: http://asean.wisdomhealthprosperity.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/NZ-ASEAN-Trade-Travel-Linkages-September-2014.pdf
Brunei has a non-resident High Commissioner to New Zealand, based in Brunei. The Brunei Darussalam High Commission c/- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
NZ Head of Mission and associated Staff
New Zealand High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, accredited to Brunei
http://www.nzembassy.com/malaysia
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Malaysia
(market coverage includes Brunei)
https://www.nzte.govt.nz/en/contact-us/east-asia
Brunei National Newspaper:
Brunei Times: http://www.bt.com.bn/
World Bank’s Country Profile:
Brunei’s International Trade Website: http://www.mofat.gov.bn/
Brunei’s Investment Website: http://www.bedb.com.bn/index.php
Brunei’s Customs Website: http://www.mof.gov.bn/index.php/about-royal-customs-a-excise-dept
Brunei Tourism Website: http://www.bruneitourism.travel/
NZ Association in Brunei: www.groups.yahoo.com/group/NZinBrunei
Major Banks in Brunei:
Public holidays: