BRUNEI

Country name:
conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam
conventional short form: Brunei
local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
local short form: Brunei

Government type:
constitutional sultanate

Capital:
name: Bandar Seri Begawan
geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions:
4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei-Muara, Temburong, Tutong

Independence:
1 January 1984 (from the UK)

National holiday:
National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from
the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection

Constitution:
29 September 1959 (some provisions suspended under a State of Emergency since December
1962, others since independence on 1 January 1984)

Legal system:
based on English common law; for Muslims, Islamic sharia law supersedes civil law in a number
of areas; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age for village elections; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note -
the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
cabinet: Council of Cabinet Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch; deals with
executive matters; note - there is also a Religious Council (members appointed by the monarch)
that advises on religious matters, a Privy Council (members appointed by the monarch) that
deals with constitutional matters, and the Council of Succession (members appointed by the
monarch) that determines the succession to the throne if the need arises (For more information

visit the   )
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative branch:
The Sultan appointed a council with 29 members as of 2 September 2005; the council has met
in March of each year since then
elections: last held in March 1962 (date of next election NA)
note: The Legislative Council met on 25 September 2004 for first time in 20 years with 21
members appointed by the Sultan; it passed constitutional amendments calling for a 45-seat
council with 15 elected members

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court - chief justice and judges are sworn in by monarch for three-year terms; Judicial
Committee of Privy Council in London is final court of appeal for civil cases; Sharia courts deal
with Islamic laws (2006)

Political parties and leaders:

National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]
note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's
Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered; parties
are small and have limited activity

Political pressure groups and leaders:

NA

International organization participation:

ADB, APEC, APT, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFRCS, ILO, IMF,
IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador Yusoff Abd HAMID
chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838
FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560

Diplomatic representation from the US:

chief of mission: Ambassador William E. TODD
embassy: Third Floor, Teck Guan Plaza, Jalan Sultan, Bandar Seri Begawan, BS8811
mailing address: PSC 470 (BSB), FPO AP 96507; P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan
BS8675, Negara Brunei Darussalam
telephone: [673] 222-0384
FAX: [673] 222-5293

Flag description:
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost double width) and black starting from the
upper hoist side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the center; the emblem includes
a swallow-tailed flag on top of a winged column within an upturned crescent above a scroll and
flanked by two upraised hands
Economy - overview:2010
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and
domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village
tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and
more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and
substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic
production. The government provides for all medical services and free education
through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are
concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine
internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing
unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural
production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$19.44 billion (2009 est.)

$19.81 billion (2008 est.)

$20.2 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$14.7 billion (2009 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

-1.9% (2009 est.)

-1.9% (2008 est.)

0.2% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$50,100 (2009 est.)

$52,000 (2008 est.)

$53,900 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.7%

industry: 75%

services: 24.3% (2005 est.)

Labor force:
188,800 (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 4.5%

industry: 63.1%

services: 32.4% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:
3.7% (2008 est.)

4% (2006)

Population below poverty line:

NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%
]
highest 10%: NA%
]

Budget:
revenues: $6.889 billion

expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.3% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.5% (31 December 2008)

5.5% (February 2009)

Stock of money:
$3.046 billion (31 December 2008)

$2.674 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$4.551 billion (31 December 2008)

$4.258 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$1.274 billion (31 December 2008)

$2.38 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:
rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs

Industries:
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

1.8% (2006 est.)

Electricity - production:
3.091 billion kWh (2007 est.)
Electricity - consumption:
2.926 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2008 est.)

Oil - production:
157,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - consumption:
15,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Oil - exports:
207,500 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports:
238 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves:

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)

Natural gas - production:

13.4 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

4.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

9.2 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2008 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:
390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)

Current account balance:

$7.101 billion (2007 est.)

Exports:
$8.25 billion (2007 est.)

$6.767 billion (2006)

Exports - commodities:
crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners:
Japan 40.8%, Indonesia 21.6%, South Korea 15.4%, Australia 10% (2008)

Imports:
$2.055 billion (2007 est.)

$2 billion (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:
Singapore 36.5%, Malaysia 19%, Japan 7.7%, China 5.5%, Thailand 5%, US 4.7%, UK
4.7% (2008)

Debt - external:
$0 (2005 est.)

Exchange rates:
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005),
1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003)
Economy - overview: 2009
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and
domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village
tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and
more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and
substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic
production. The government provides for all medical services and free education
through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are
concerned that steadily increased integration into the world economy will undermine
internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing
unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, increasing agricultural
production, and, in general, further widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$20.25 billion (2008 est.)
$20.13 billion (2007)
$20.01 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$17.18 billion (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.4% (2008 est.)
0.6% (2007 est.)
5.1% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$53,100 (2008 est.)
$53,700 (2007 est.)
$54,400 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 75%
services: 25% (2005 est.)
Labor force:
188,800 (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 4.5%
industry: 63.1%
services: 32.4% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:
3.7% (2008)

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Budget:
revenues: $6.889 billion
expenditures: $4 billion (2008 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

0.3% (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate:

5.5% (February 2009)

Stock of money:
$2.674 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money:

$4.258 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of domestic credit:

$2.38 billion (31 December 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Agriculture - products:
rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs

Industries:
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

1.8% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:
3.145 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - consumption:
2.758 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2007 est.)

Oil - production:
192,600 bbl/day (1st quarter 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption:
13,200 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports:
200,000 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports:
304 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves:

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Natural gas - production:

13.8 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - consumption:

3.99 billion cu m (2006 est.)

Natural gas - exports:

9.4 billion cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves:

390.8 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Current account balance:

$7.101 billion (2007 est.)
Exports:
$8.25 billion f.o.b. (2007)

Exports - commodities:
crude oil, natural gas, garments

Exports - partners:
Japan 32.8%, Indonesia 24.4%, Australia 13.4%, South Korea 12.2%, US 5.5% (2007)

Imports:
$2.055 billion c.i.f. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals

Imports - partners:
UK 46.4%, Singapore 19.5%, Malaysia 11.3% (2007)

Debt - external:
$0 (2005)

Exchange rates:
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005),
1.6902 (2004), 1.7422 (2003)
Economy - overview: 2008
Brunei has a small well-to-do economy that encompasses a mixture of foreign and
domestic entrepreneurship, government regulation, welfare measures, and village
tradition. Crude oil and natural gas production account for just over half of GDP and
more than 90% of exports. Per capita GDP is among the highest in Asia, and
substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic
production. The government provides for all medical services and free education
through the university level and subsidizes rice and housing. Brunei's leaders are
concerned that steadily increased integration in the world economy will undermine
internal social cohesion. Plans for the future include upgrading the labor force, reducing
unemployment, strengthening the banking and tourist sectors, and, in general, further
widening the economic base beyond oil and gas.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$9.557 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate):

$9.531 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

0.4% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$25,600 (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 0.9%
industry: 71.6%
services: 27.5% (2005 est.)

Labor force:
180,400 (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:

agriculture: 2.9%
industry: 61.1%
services: 36% (2003 est.)

Unemployment rate:
4% (2006)
Population below poverty line:
NA%

Household income or consumption by percentage share:

lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

1.1% (2005)

Budget:
revenues: $3.765 billion
expenditures: $4.815 billion (2004 est.)

Agriculture - products:
rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle, goats, eggs

Industries:
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction

Industrial production growth rate:

1.8% (2005 est.)

Electricity - production:
2.735 billion kWh (2005)

Electricity - consumption:
2.625 billion kWh (2005 est.)

Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2005)

Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2005)

Oil - production:
219,300 bbl/day (2006)

Oil - consumption:
14,900 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports:
205,600 bbl/day (2006)

Oil - imports:
660.1 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - proved reserves:
1.35 billion bbl (1 January 2006 est.)

natural gas - production:

11.03 billion cu m (2005 est.)

natural gas - consumption:

2.254 billion cu m (2005 est.)

natural gas - exports:

8.776 billion cu m (2005 est.)

natural gas - imports:

0 cu m (2005)

natural gas - proved reserves:

374.8 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)

Exports:
$6.767 billion f.o.b. (2006)

Exports - commodities:
crude oil, natural gas, refined products, clothing

Exports - partners:
Japan 30.5%, Indonesia 19.9%, South Korea 14.9%, Australia 11.5%, US 7.7% (2006)

Imports:
$2 billion c.i.f. (2006)

Imports - partners:
Singapore 31.6%, Malaysia 19%, UK 8.1%, Japan 5.6%, China 5.5%, Thailand 4.6%
(2006)

Economic aid - recipient:

$770,000 (2004)

Debt - external:
$0 (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares:

$NA

Currency (code):
Bruneian dollar (BND)
Exchange rates:
Bruneian dollars per US dollar - NA (2007), 1.5886 (2006), 1.6644 (2005), 1.6902
(2004), 1.7422 (2003)