Chennai, 2 August 2025 : Brunei is attracting growing interest as a viable FDI
destination for Indian businesses looking for a Southeast Asian base to serve
regional and international markets, following an investment roundtable hosted
by the Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) in Chennai.
Held at the Taj Coromandel in
collaboration with international trade consultancy Crescendo Worldwide, the
roundtable on 23rd 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 24th and 25th 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.