Measures: Miscellaneous Licences Act (Chapter 127) Municipal Board Act (Chapter 57) Municipal Board Enactment 1920 Road Traffic Act (Chapter 68) Public Entertainment Act (Chapter 181) Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment
1. A “Business Licence” may only be granted to a Brunei national.
2. For greater certainty this entry is limited to the issuance of “Business Licences” for the operation of commercial properties identified in the listed measures. Business Licences are required for the enforcement of health and safety regulations, and do not restrict the participation of foreign nationals in any activity where such a Business Licence is required, unless otherwise provided for in this Schedule.
Sector: Private Health and Social Services
Sub-Sector: General medical practitioners Specialised medical practitioners Dental practitioners
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 10.3) Local Presence (Article 10.6)
Measures: Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act (Chapter 112)
Description: Cross-Border Trade in Services
A foreign national may not establish a private practice for the provision of general medical, specialised medical or dental services unless the foreign national has worked in Brunei Darussalam for at least six cumulative years as a general medical, specialised medical or dental practitioner, which shall include three years of clinical service in a public hospital, health centre or clinic under the Ministry of Health.
Sector: Tourism and Travel Related Services
Sub-Sector: Travel agents Tour operator services
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4)
Measures: Travel Agents Act (Chapter 103) Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment
1. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not establish a travel agency in Brunei Darussalam.
2. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not own more than 70 per cent equity shareholding in any enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam providing tour operator services.
Sector: Tourism
Sub-Sector: Hotels/Boarding House/Lodging
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Market Access (Article 10.5)
Measures: Miscellaneous Licences Act (Chapter 127) Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
Foreign nationals and enterprises may not establish hotels, boarding houses or lodgings in Brunei Darussalam, unless: (a) through a joint venture with a Brunei national or Bruneian enterprise; (b) the majority of senior managers in the joint venture are Brunei nationals; and (c) they comply with any commitment or understanding to purchase, use or accord a preference to goods produced in Brunei Darussalam, or to purchase goods from local suppliers.
Sector: Mining and Quarrying of sand (apart from silica sand) and gravel, and Services incidental to Mining and Quarrying of sand and gravel
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4)
Measures: Mining Act (Chapter 42) Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment
1. Unless authorised to do so by the Ministry of Development, a foreign national may not establish an enterprise to mine or quarry for sand (apart from silica sand) or gravel, or provide any services incidental to such mining and quarrying of sand or gravel.
2. Any sand (apart from silica sand) or gravel mined or quarried in Brunei Darussalam is only allowed to be used within Brunei Darussalam and is not allowed to be exported.
Sector: Trade Fair and Exhibition Organising Services
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 10.3)
Measures: Public Entertainment Act (Chapter 181)
Description: Cross--Border Trade in Services
A foreign national may not provide trade fair and exhibition organising services in Brunei Darussalam except with the written approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs or Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, which includes the requirement of supporting documents from the relevant government agencies or diplomatic representative office of that respective foreign national, depending on the sector involved.
Sector: Transport Services
Sub-Sector: Rail transport services
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Market Access (Article 10.5) Local Presence (Article 10.6)
Measures: Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services
Foreign nationals and enterprises may not provide rail transport services in Brunei Darussalam, unless: (a) through an enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam that is a joint venture, where the foreign national or enterprise does not own more than 49 per cent equity shareholding in the joint venture; (b) they comply with any performance requirements imposed, including requirements to transfer a particular technology or other proprietary knowledge as long as such requirement to transfer technology or other proprietary knowledge does not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the owner of technology or proprietary knowledge and is not for the purposes of commercial exploitation by Brunei Darussalam; or (c) a majority of the senior managers in the joint venture are Brunei nationals.
Sector: Transport Services
Sub-Sector: Maritime passenger transport services, Maritime freight transport services, Services auxiliary to maritime transport
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Market Access (Article 10.5) Local Presence (Article 10.6)
Measures: Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
1. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not provide maritime passenger and freight transport services as Brunei Darussalam-flagged vessels in Brunei Darussalam, unless: (a) they register such vessels under the Brunei Darussalam flag through an enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam that is a joint venture, where the foreign national or enterprise does not own more than 40 per cent equity shareholding in the joint venture; (b) they comply with any performance requirements imposed, including a requirement to transfer a particular technology or other proprietary knowledge as long as such requirement to transfer technology or other proprietary knowledge does not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the owner of technology or proprietary knowledge and is not for the purposes of commercial exploitation by Brunei Darussalam; and (c) a majority of the senior managers in the joint venture are Brunei nationals.
2. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not provide services auxiliary to maritime transport services at Muara Port, unless: (a) through an enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam that is a joint venture, where the foreign national or enterprise does not own more than 51 per cent equity shareholding in any such enterprise providing services auxiliary to maritime transport services; and (b) a majority of the senior managers in any such enterprise established are Brunei nationals.
3. The number of enterprises in Brunei Darussalam providing maritime passenger and freight transport services and services auxiliary to maritime transport at Muara Port may be subject to needs--based quantitative limits.
Sector: Transport Services
Sub-Sector: Specialty air services (flight training organisation)
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Market Access (Article 10.5)
Measures: Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description Investment and Cross-Border Trade in Services
1. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not provide specialty air transport services (flight training) in Brunei Darussalam, unless: (a) through an enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam that is a joint venture, where the foreign national or enterprise does not own more than 49 per cent equity shareholding in any such enterprise providing specialty air services (flight training); (b) they comply with any performance requirements imposed, including a requirement to transfer a particular technology or other proprietary knowledge as long as such requirement to transfer technology or other proprietary knowledge does not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the owner of technology and is not for the purpose of commercial exploitation by Brunei Darussalam; and (c) a majority of the senior managers in any such enterprises established are Brunei nationals.
2. The number of enterprises in Brunei Darussalam providing specialty air services (flight training) may be subject to needs--based quantitative limits.
Sector: Communication Services
Sub-Sector: Courier services, including express delivery services Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Market Access (Article 10.5) Local Presence (Article 10.6)
Measures: Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
Foreign nationals and enterprises may not supply courier services, including express delivery services, in Brunei Darussalam, unless through an enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam that is a joint venture, to provide such services.
Sector: Business Services
Sub-Sector: Professional services Legal services
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4 and Article 10.3) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Market Access (Article 10.5)
Measures: Legal Profession Act (Chapter 132)
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
1. A foreign national or service supplier may not supply legal services in Brunei Darussalam except in relation to international law or home country law.
2. A foreign national or service supplier may not establish an enterprise for the supply of legal services in Brunei Darussalam in relation to international law or home country law, except through a partnership with at least one registered Bruneian advocate and solicitor.
Sector: Education Services
Sub-Sector: Higher education services International schools
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Market Access (Article 10.5)
Measures: Education Order (Chapter 210)
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
1. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not supply higher education services through a commercial presence in Brunei Darussalam, unless: (a) through an enterprise established in Brunei Darussalam that is a joint venture, where the foreign national or enterprise does not own more than 51 per cent equity shareholding in the joint venture; (b) they comply with any performance requirements imposed, including a requirement to transfer a particular technology or other proprietary knowledge as long as such requirement to transfer technology or other proprietary knowledge does not unreasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the owner of technology or proprietary knowledge and is not for the purposes of commercial exploitation by Brunei Darussalam; and (c) a majority of the senior managers in the joint venture are Brunei nationals.
2. Foreign enterprises are not allowed to be set up as branches or associate institutions unless authorised by the Minister of Education.
3. Foreign nationals and enterprises may not establish international schools in Brunei Darussalam unless authorised by the Minister of Education.
Sector: Land
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4)
Measures: Land Code (Chapter 40) Land Acquisition (Chapter 41) Land Code (Strata) Act (Chapter 189)
Description: Investment
Subject to review and approval by the relevant committee (Komiti bagi Mempertimbangkan Permohonan Pindahmilik Strata) chaired by the Minister of Development, or his authorised representative, a foreign national or enterprise: (a) may own or lease non--landed property (strata title) for up to a maximum of: (i) 99 years where the property is situated on land which is held in perpetuity (freehold); or (ii) one day less than the term of the lease where the land held is leasehold land; and (b) may not own or lease more than 70 per cent of the individual strata titles in a single property.
Sector: Petroleum
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4)
Measures: Petroleum Mining Act (Chapter 44) (the Act) Brunei National Petroleum Company Sendirian Berhad Order, 2002 Petroleum (Pipe--Lines) Act (Chapter 45) Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment
1. Under the Act, the State Party has exclusive ownership of and rights over petroleum in the territory of Brunei Darussalam. The State Party presently includes Brunei National Petroleum Company Sdn. Bhd. (“PetroleumBRUNEI”). Private companies may obtain exploration, exploitation, development and production rights for petroleum through petroleum mining Agreements with the State Party.
2. The State Party may require that investment in Brunei Darussalam by an investor of another Party take the form of a joint venture or a similar arrangement with a Bruneian enterprise, which may include PetroleumBRUNEI or any of its subsidiaries.
3. The State Party may require as a contractual term that, during the exploration or development period, all relevant costs with respect to the maximum participating interest of the Bruneian enterprise be borne by the partner that is an investor of another Party. Consequently, on the expiration of the carry interest period, the Bruneian enterprise will bear the costs of future operations in proportion to its participating interests in the petroleum mining Agreement.
4. The State Party may require as a contractual term that a Bruneian enterprise may acquire a participating interest, or increase its participating interest, in the joint venture or similar arrangement upon the occurrence of a stipulated event.
5. The terms “State Party”, “petroleum mining Agreement” and “petroleum” used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them under the Act.
Sector: Petroleum
Obligations Concerned: Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11)
Measures: Administration Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment
Foreign enterprises acting as operators in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas industry may be: (a) contractually required to provide a portion of natural gas or manufactured petrochemical products and their derivatives in Brunei Darussalam for domestic use; or (b) required to appoint a certain percentage of Brunei nationals to management positions.
Sector: Services supporting the petroleum industry
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4 and Article 10.3)
Measures: Local Business Development Directive No. 2 of the Energy Department, Prime Minister’s Office
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
1. A foreign national or enterprise shall not supply, or establish an enterprise to supply services in the upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum industry in the services listed in Appendix I – A, unless as may otherwise be authorised by the Government of Brunei Darussalam.
2. Where a foreign national or enterprise has a contract for the provision of services listed in Appendix I – A, it may only provide such services through a Brunei national or Bruneian enterprise.
Sector: Services supporting the petroleum industry
Obligations Concerned: Performance Requirements (Article 9.10) Senior Management and Boards of Directors (Article 9.11) Local Presence (Article 10.6)
Measures: Local Business Development Directive No. 2 of the Energy Department, Prime Minister’s Office
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
1. A foreign national or enterprise may supply, or establish an enterprise to supply services in the upstream, midstream and downstream petroleum industry other than those listed in Appendix I – A.
2. Where the total approved contract value for the supply of services in paragraph 1 is more than BND 10 million, the foreign national or enterprise must comply with the following requirements: (a) appoint at least 40 per cent or more, Brunei nationals to the enterprise’s management positions in Brunei Darussalam within the duration of the contract period; (b) accord a preference to goods and services produced in Brunei Darussalam so that at least 40 per cent, or more, of goods and services are produced or purchased in Brunei Darussalam within the duration of the contract period; and (c) establish or maintain a representative office or any form of enterprise, or be resident in Brunei Darussalam, unless as may otherwise be authorised by the Government of Brunei Darussalam.
Sector: Services supporting the petroleum industry
Sub-Sector: Operation of Marine Supply Base and Shipyard
Obligations Concerned: National Treatment (Article 9.4) Market Access (Article 10.5)
Measures: Administrative Measures and Guidelines
Description: Investment and Cross--Border Trade in Services
1. Foreign nationals or enterprises may not establish a marine supply base or shipyard to supply services to the oil and gas industry except through a joint venture with a Brunei national or Bruneian enterprise, and may not own more than 49 per cent equity shareholding in the joint venture.
2. The number of marine supply bases or shipyards in Brunei Darussalam may be subject to needs--based quantitative limits.
APPENDIX I-A. Work Categories
Corporate Services
1. Provision of environmental health services, including pest prevention services. This does not include advisory and consultancy services
2. Provision of media publication services
3. Provision of event management services
4. Provision of travel arrangements for staff (other than those booked online)
Engineering Design
1. Provision of quantity surveying services
Facility Management
1. Provision of supply, rental, installation and maintenance of air--conditioners for onshore and offshore areas
2. Provision of catering, cleaning, laundry and recreational services at offshore facilities
3. Provision of housekeeping and catering services for onshore oil and gas facilities including lodging
4. Provision of building and maintenance services for staff housing
5. Provision of electrical maintenance services for staff housing
6. Provision of landscape maintenance services
7. Provision of packing and transportation services for staff
8. Provision of office support services
9. Provision of security services
10. Provision of warehousing services for storage
11. Provision of maintenance services for industrial buildings
12. Provision of civil infrastructure services including maintenance, construction, renovation and demolition
13. Provision of courier services to worldwide locations and within Brunei
Inspection Services
1. Provision of specialist inspection and non--destructing testing services
Instrumentation – Aftermarket
1. Provision of after-sales maintenance services for instrumentation equipment and spare parts
Land
1. Provision of spot or term hire of light vehicles
2. Provision of spot or term hire of medium/heavy vehicles. This does not include specialised or special-purpose vehicles
3. Provision of material handling and manpower services
4. Provision of material clearing and forwarding services for air and sea freight
5. Provision of road fuel tankers and maintenance services for transport of petroleum products domestically
Marine Vessels
1. Provision of chartered anchor handling tugs
2. Provision of chartered barges for accommodation and working deck space
3. Provision of chartered Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tugs to support berthing of LNG vessels
4. Provision of chartered contingencies utility craft to support safety coverage