Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah presented the Supply Bill 2026/2027 and the Development Budget on the third day of the First Meeting of the 22nd Session of the Legislative Council yesterday.
In his presentation, the minister shared that the National Budget Estimates for the 2026/2027 Financial Year were formulated to continue the government’s efforts in realising Brunei Vision 2035.
The budget also aligns with the five-year theme beginning from the 2026/2027 Financial Year until the 2030/2031 Financial Year: ‘Together Achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035’. The theme focuses on three main priorities namely strengthening fiscal stability and financial governance; empowering the economy through transformation and innovation; and ensuring social sustainability and future development.
The minister also noted that the country continues to face an increasingly challenging global environment, including economic uncertainties influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, changes in global trade structures, moderate global growth prospects and the challenges of climate change.
These factors, he said, require the government to adopt cautious and strategic measures while ensuring the nation maintains macroeconomic stability and fiscal resilience.
The proposed budget places strong emphasis on a sustainable fiscal agenda by ensuring that public spending is managed more efficiently, with greater impact and results-oriented outcomes.
The fiscal management approach prioritises strategic and high-impact spending that delivers long-term returns for the people and the economy, encourages economic transformation and innovation, and maintains financial discipline by balancing development needs with prudent expenditure management. For the 2026/2027 Financial Year, the proposed national budget amounts to BND6.3 billion and of this total, BND2.31 billion, representing 36.7 per cent of the allocation, will be used to finance emoluments including salaries, service benefits and employer contributions.
Meanwhile, BND2.45 billion, or 38.3 per cent of the allocation, will be allocated for the recurring expenditures of ministries and government departments.
A further BND480 million has been allocated to finance development projects under the 12th National Development Plan with a total plan value of BND4 billion, while the remainder will fund expenditure categorised under Charged Expenditure.
Regarding the Development Budget, the minister also shared updates on the progres of projects under the National Development Plan.
Currently, 78 projects are under implementation compared to 65 in the previous financial year and in addition, 68 projects are at the tender stage, 91 projects are in the design phase and 37 projects remain in the planning stage.
Completed projects include those supporting the education cluster, social development, housing, environmental sustainability, food security and the advancement of the tourism industry.
(news source: Borneo Bulletin; pic source: Info Foto, Jabatan Penerangan)
