BRUNEI ATTRACTS FDI INTEREST AT CHENNAI INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE

Held at the Taj Coromandel in collaboration with international trade consultancy Crescendo Worldwide, the roundtable on 23^rd July brought together senior representatives from close to 20 Indian companies in the fields of petrochemicals, manufacturing, and services.

The roundtable builds on Brunei’s strengthening ties with India – marked by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Sultanate in September 2024 – and follows the resumption of direct flights between Brunei and India via Chennai shortly thereafter. It also reflects the momentum of BEDB’s ongoing efforts to attract quality FDIs that support the country’s economic diversification by deepening industrial capabilities, creating local jobs, and contributing to national exports.

BEDB’s Director for Investment Promotion and Facilitation (FAST), Teo Boon Wah, shared success stories of export-focused Indian investments in Brunei – including specialty chemicals production that taps into outputs from Brunei’s downstream oil and gas sector, and food manufacturing ventures leveraging Brunei’s halal certification to access Muslim markets.

“Our targeted efforts to develop a strong petrochemical industry have attracted major international players from China, India, and Japan, who have established production plants in Brunei to serve the global market,” said Teo in his welcoming remarks at the roundtable.

“We are also witnessing significant growth in the food manufacturing and aquaculture sectors. We believe that Indian companies, with their deep expertise and innovative capabilities, can play a key role in driving growth and sustainability in these sectors.”

The roundtable is part of BEDB’s broader strategy of targeted investor engagement with India. It follows the Brunei-India Business Exchange Mission to Chennai in November 2024, which was followed by a delegation of Indian businesses visiting Brunei the following month. In addition to the roundtable, BEDB conducted one-on-one meetings and site visits with potential investors on 24^th and 25^th July.

Associate Vice President at Crescendo Worldwide, Roopesh Patil, said they continue to raise awareness about Brunei’s investment potential among Indian companies, highlighting the Sultanate’s competitive advantages.

“Brunei offers several advantages for Indian investors – including political stability, a low-tax regime, and a strategic location within Southeast Asia, supported by its participation in multiple free trade agreements,” he said. “This, along with Brunei’s commitment to environmental sustainability, makes it a stable and green destination for those seeking long-term opportunities in the region.”

As the lead agency for FDI facilitation into Brunei, BEDB also offers investors synergies through its other core functions: providing industrial sites across the country and fostering linkages with local enterprises. Companies interested in exploring opportunities in Brunei may contact info@invest.gov.bn or visit www.invest.gov.bn to learn more.