Strengthening coordination, improving the government’s delivery system and creating a more investor-friendly business environment are among the key priorities needed to accelerate Brunei Darussalam’s progress towards achieving the aspirations of Brunei Vision 2035.

This was noted by Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim during the debate on the motion supporting coordination towards the national vision.

Expressing his support for the motion, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman thanked His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam for the appointment of the Coordinating Ministers, describing the move as a significant step in addressing cross-cutting national issues and ensuring stronger implementation across ministries.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman also highlighted His Majesty’s call for all stakeholders to implement action plans complete with clear key performance indicators (KPIs) and measurable targets, while continuously reviewing strategies to address evolving geopolitical and global socio-economic challenges.

He said particular attention should be given to unemployment, the role of government-linked companies (GLCs) in creating employment opportunities and strengthening efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to build a more dynamic, inclusive and sustainable economy.

To strengthen implementation, he proposed enhancing the government’s delivery and monitoring systems by establishing or reinforcing Strategic Development and Coordination Units within ministries.

These units, he said, should serve as think tanks while overseeing planning, implementation, monitoring and inter-ministerial coordination in line with the objectives and KPIs of Brunei Vision 2035.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman stressed that stronger coordination would enable the government to make faster, more consistent and results-oriented decisions that deliver tangible benefits to the public. On the economic front, he called for greater efforts to improve Brunei’s business ecosystem through more business-friendly policies, streamlined immigration and visa procedures for investors, enhanced digital services, stronger industrial policies, improved support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), banking policies that better support the real economy, a more responsive public service and an education system capable of producing industry-ready talent.

He also urged a comprehensive review of Brunei’s foreign direct investment (FDI) strategy to ensure the country remains competitive in an increasingly dynamic global economy.

Among his recommendations were strengthening the existing FDI Committee, reviewing the structure and mandate of agencies responsible for attracting investment, and ensuring greater transparency in sharing information on new investments so local businesses, particularly MSMEs, can benefit from collaboration and business opportunities generated by foreign investors.

Institutional development and local talent development should also be prioritised, he said, through continuous improvements to create a more innovative, customer-focused and business-friendly public service while strengthening accountability, integrity and good governance.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman also highlighted the importance of coordinated and timely dissemination of information on government initiatives, noting that credible media plays a strategic role in strengthening Brunei’s image, attracting investors and tourists, and encouraging greater public participation.
He said this would be particularly significant next year during His Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and Visit Brunei Year 2027, as accurate and timely information would send positive signals about Brunei’s socio-economic direction and economic diversification efforts.

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman said achieving Brunei Vision 2035 would require strong coordination, collective commitment and close cooperation among the government, private sector and the people to ensure Brunei Darussalam continues to prosper.

(news source: Borneo Bulletin ; pic source: Info Foto, Jbt Penerangan)