Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) hosted the Economic and Investment Outlook 2025 on Thursday, 6 February 2025 at the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MOFE) Theatre Hall.

The event was attended by over 200 participants from various organisations, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Finance and Economy, as well as other government agencies, financial institutions and local higher educational institutions. 

Carrying the theme “Friends, Foes and Frenemies? Shifting Alliances in a Fragmented World”, the event brought together speakers from the public, private, and academic sectors to discuss trends and developments in the economy and markets, while providing a comprehensive outlook for 2025 as well as for the medium- to long-term.

The event commenced with welcoming remarks by Yang Mulia Hajah Rashidah binti Haji Sabtu, Managing Director of BDCB. Her remarks highlighted the growing geopolitical uncertainties and shifting trade dynamics, which are reshaping global alliances as traditional partnerships are being tested and new blocs emerge. She noted how increasing inward-looking economic policies have led to greater fragmentation, adding volatility to financial markets and complicating global cooperation. At the same time, shifting central bank policies and economic fundamentals make the outlook for 2025 even more unpredictable. She emphasised the need to closely monitor global economic trends and policies that could impact the global, regional and domestic economies, whilst assessing the potential risks and opportunities. 

This was followed by a special presentation by Yang Mulia Dr. Yong Soo Keong, Senior Assistant Professor, School of Business and Economics, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). He highlighted the growing fragmentation over the past decade across geopolitical, economic, and technological domains, driven by escalating US-China tensions. He noted how conflicts have strained global cooperation, while tariffs, trade restrictions and rival trade blocs are limiting cross-border activities, fueling economic instability and inflation. Meanwhile, technological fragmentation, exacerbated by misinformation and regulatory divergence, has led to inefficiencies and economic losses. Emphasising the vulnerability of small open economies, he raised the importance of policymakers investing in infrastructure, diversifying trade and industries, strengthening regional cooperation, and ensuring transparent policies. 

The event then proceeded with a panel discussion moderated by Yang Mulia Hajah Dayang Maizatul Najibah binti Haji Awang Mohamad, Assistant Executive Director (Regulatory 3), BDCB. Panellists included Yang Mulia Pengiran Abdul Rasyid bin Pengiran Haji Abdul Rajak, CFA, Senior Investment Consultant, Baiduri Capital; Yang Mulia Syamimi binti Rousali, Investment Associate, Brunei Investment Agency (BIA); Yang Mulia Professor Alvin Ang, Senior Researcher, Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS); and Yang Mulia Dayangku Norhanidah binti Pengiran Haji Masshor, Senior Economic Officer, Department of Economic Planning and Statistics (DEPS), MOFE. 

The panel explored the wide variety of implications brought about by shifting alliances. Panellists provided insights from the financial market angle as well as global, regional, and local economic perspectives. Key issues such as the ongoing trade war between major powers, the current trends of re-shoring and friend-shoring, and the global race to dominate the technology sector, were also addressed. The discussions not only examined the numerous risks and opportunities for economic players, but also focused on strategies for navigating uncertainty, mitigating economic volatility, and identifying areas for collaboration in an increasingly fragmented world. 

The Economic and Investment Outlook is one of the many events organised by BDCB that serves as a platform to stimulate conversations and the exchange of views on a variety of key topics pertaining to the economy and financial markets. 

Economic and Investment Outlook 2025

Economic and Investment Outlook 2025 (MY)