The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) is looking to promote Brunei as an investment destination in the areas of alternative energy, aquaculture, eco tourism, halal products and food manufacturing.

Speaking to the Bulletin, BEBD Acting Chairman Dato Paduka Timothy Ong said that they would like to send a message that “Brunei is open for business and that Brunei welcomes investors and contractors from Indonesia.

“There are a number of areas we are interested in in Indonesia, for example, they are strong in food manufacturing and have had interesting developments in the power industry. We would like to look at that.

“The first official visit to Indonesia will be more of ‘testing the waters’ to promote Brunei as an investment destination, as well as to look at those areas that we are interested in,” he added.

The acting chairman’s comments came in response to an invitation made by the Indonesian acting head of fiscal policy, who is in the country on an official visit to promote investment opportunities for 13runeiarts.

Dr Anggito Abimanyu, Deputy to the Minister of Finance and Acting Head of Fiscal Policy, Republic of Indonesia, yesterday delivered a presentation on ‘Indonesia’s Economic and Investment Climate’ to representatives from BEDB, Brunei Investment Agency, and several prominent figures from the private sector, which included Baiduri Bank General Manager Pierre Imhoff.

When asked whether Brunei has already invested in Indonesian industries, Dr Abimanyu replied: “There are only minor investments from Brunei so far, particularly in Bali.”

In his presentation, Dr Abimanyu spoke on global economic updates, Indonesia’s economic performance outlook, as well as Indonesia’s fiscal policy support to the infrastructure and real sector.

Dr Abimanyu also spoke on a portfolio of investment opportunities in Indonesia, such as equity investment, fixed income investment and Islamic Sukuk investments.

“Dr Abimanyu’s presentation was a very useful update on the Indonesian economy. The Indonesian economy is now a high performing economy. In the last few years, Indonesia has been recording amongst the highest growth rates in Asean. In fact, last year Indonesia registered the highest growth rate in Asean,” Dato Paduka Timothy Ong pointed out.

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