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E
conomic development is a collective
effort where progress is built through
collaboration between government,
investors, industries, enterprises, and
the wider community. Through strategic
investments, well-managed industrial
infrastructure, and strong enterprise
participation,
the
Brunei
Economic
Development Board (BEDB) continues to lead
and advance economic growth aligned with
Wawasan Brunei 2035.
A HOLISTIC APPROACH
BEDB approaches economic growth
holistically, focusing on investment
facilitation, industrial readiness, and
enterprise development.
On the investment front, BEDB actively
attracts and facilitates foreign direct
investments that bring capital, technology,
and expertise into priority sectors i.e.
downstreamoil &gas; food; tourism; services
and info-communication technology, while
ensuring that these investments generate
positive spill over benefits for the local
economy.
At the same time, BEDB develops and
manages fit-for-purpose industrial sites
and infrastructure, providing investors and
businesses with a conducive, well-planned
environment to operate and expand.
Complementing this, BEDB supports
local enterprises by recognising that
entrepreneurship requiresmore than access
Building a Resilient and
Diversified Economy
to financing. When it comes to knowledge,
BEDB carries out structured programmes,
boot camps, advisory clinics, and platforms
such as Enterprise Growth Connect –
a business platform connecting local
businesses with real project opportunities,
industry leaders and partners to strengthen
capabilities and drive growth.
BEDB supports micro, small and medium
enterprises (MSMEs) in strengthening
fundamentals such as governance, financial
readiness, digital adoption, and market
access. In terms of resources, initiatives
like DARe LINKS connect MSMEs directly
to procurement opportunities, value chains,
and industry anchors, ensuring businesses
are not only supported but positioned
to participate meaningfully in economic
activity. As for capital readiness, rather than
focusing solely on funding, BEDB prioritises
preparing businesses to become
investment-
ready
, enabling them to engage financiers,
partners, and investors with stronger
propositions.
This approach reflects BEDB’s emphasis on
sustainable, capability-led growth rather
than short-term support.
SUPPORTING BUSINESS
GROWTH
Whether they are local enterprises or
foreign investors, businesses commonly face
challengeswhenexpanding, including access
to suitable and well-planned industrial land,
workforce and talent constraints, regulatory
and process-related complexities, and the
need to scale operations efficiently in a
competitive environment.
BEDB supports businesses through
this transition by taking an integrated,
ecosystem-wide approach. This includes
facilitating investments and regulatory
processes to enable smoother market
entry and expansion; developing and
managing fit-for-purpose industrial sites
that respond to industry needs; and acting
as a central connector between investors,
government agencies and local enterprises
to ensure alignment and coordination. In
parallel, BEDB supports local enterprises
in strengthening their capabilities so they
are better positioned to participate in higher-
value activities and domestic supply chains
created by investment and industrial growth.
Beyond structural and infrastructure-
related challenges, BEDB also recognises
the operational and growth constraints
faced by MSMEs. To address these, BEDB
has convened theMSME Roundtable Series,
which serves as a constructive platform for
open and transparent dialogue between
the public and private sectors. These
engagements have highlighted recurring
challenges such as workforce and talent
shortages, capability gaps during scaling,
limited exposure to higher-value supply
chains, and the complexity of navigating
regulatory requirements.
Insights gathered through these dialogues
inform BEDB’s targeted interventions and
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BORNEO BULLETIN YEARBOOK 2026