Strategic Location
Strategically located at the heart of the ASEAN region, Brunei Darussalam enables investors to reach a wider market base within Southeast Asia and beyond.
The Sultanate provides a gateway to ASEAN and is located within two to three hours away from other major cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta via direct flights. Additionally, Brunei’s connectivity to the growing economies within the region makes it an ideal location for export oriented activities.
Situated along South China Sea’s shipping routes is Muara Port, serving as a container and conventional terminal. Built in 1973 as a deep water port, Muara Port is the main international gateway for trade of Brunei. In addition to its strategic location, the port has excellent connectivity along the Belt and Road Maritime Silk Road, and has the potential to become a major port hub for the Eastern Growth Area which includes Borneo Island, Brunei Darussalam – Indonesia – Malaysia – Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the larger ASEAN region.
Muara Port is operated by Muara Port Company Sdn Bhd (MPC), a joint venture between Darussalam Assets Sdn Bhd and Beibu Gulf Holding (HK) Co Ltd. Most of the shipping route covers regional and international destinations. In 2022, Muara Port welcomed its new container feeder vessel in a collaboration between MPC, Ben Line Agencies (B) Sdn Bhd and Regional Container Lines Pte Ltd (RCL), through which MPC can expand its regional connectivity and reinforce more shipping lines into Muara Port. Brunei’s well-developed shipping lines, combined with a short flight duration from most major ASEAN cities, makes Brunei a strategic candidate for central business operations.
Brunei is also part of a close knit subregional economic grouping of BIMPEAGA with a population of 75 million people. Investors can leverage on Brunei’s strategic location and its important trade routes, as well as its access to raw materials from BIMPEAGA and key markets in Asia Pacific and Oceania through various free trade agreements.
The country’s ratification of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agreement, will also open up further trade and investment opportunities for Brunei and its partners. Blessed with a stable and peaceful political landscape and free from natural disasters, Brunei provides the ideal environment for investment.