In 2003, Brunei was a small country located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It was bordered by Malaysia and the South China Sea. Its economy was mainly based on oil and gas production, as well as tourism and services. Infrastructure throughout the country was of high quality with education levels being quite high. Unemployment had decreased since the 1990s but still remained relatively low due to the abundance of jobs in the oil and gas industry. According to computergees, the government at this time was an absolute monarchy led by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah who had implemented a number of economic reforms including increased investment in infrastructure and social programs to reduce poverty. Foreign investment had increased significantly in recent years due to Brunei’s favorable business climate and proximity to major markets such as Singapore and Malaysia. Tourism also played a major role in driving economic growth due to its pristine beaches, vibrant culture, and abundance of attractions such as Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery. Bandar Seri Begawan had become one of the most important cities in Southeast Asia at this time and had attracted many international businesses looking for a base of operations within the region.
Yearbook 2003
Brunei. During the year, media reports revealed that militant Islamist group Jemaa Islamiyya, which is suspected to be behind the recent terrorist attacks in Indonesia, was planning to establish a Southeast Asian Muslim caliphate in which Brunei would be included. The Ministry of Security said that despite threats, there is no extremist or terrorist activity in the country. They also called on the public to report “suspicious activities”.
According to Countryaah.com, Brunei Independence Day is February 23. A battalion of the British Cucumber Brigade in Brunei will remain in the country until September 2008, according to an agreement signed during the year between Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Britain’s Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Sultan really wanted more Cucumber soldiers. Since Brunei became independent in 1984, the British soldiers have been working primarily to protect the country’s oil field.
Brunei Darussalam Brief Guide
According to AbbreviationFinder, Brunei is a sultanate located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is surrounded by the South China Sea and Malaysia. This wealthy oil state is a member of the British Commonwealth.
Prepare carefully and pack lightly
Each pound of less luggage reduces the fuel consumption of the vehicle. For more passengers, this can have a significant impact. For personal hygiene, you should pack travel sizes or sample packs that not only save space but also weight. For these, however, it is a good idea to consider the amount of waste that may be generated. Depending on the destination, it is also important to take into account the local water situation – if necessary, it is advisable to favor, for example, hair products that do not require rinsing.
Travel documents and electronic reading save space and weight. For charging electronic devices, backup power sources based on a solar cell, for example, are available. For example, footwear often takes up a lot of space in a suitcase and easily accumulates the weight of the bag. Think about what equipment you really need for the trip and leave the extra items at home.
History
The Sultanate of Brunei, an independent state within the Commonwealth since 1984, has maintained an absolute regime without democratic openings.
The rise in unemployment in the early nineties and the consequent social unrest especially among young people (the population under 20 represented half of the total) pushed the government of Sultan Hassan al-Bolkiah to strengthen the Islamic character of the monarchy, to prohibit the importing alcoholic beverages and to further incentivize the emigration of the Chinese population which, although lacking citizenship and therefore of any form of social assistance, still represented a substantial part of the white-collar sector.
In 1992, on the occasion of the twenty-five years of his reign, Hassan al-Bolkiah reaffirmed the fundamental role of the monarchy and the royal family in the Islamic State of Brunei, disillusioning those who were counting on a change in the direction of the regime (the only provision, in fact, was the establishment of a committee charged with revising the 1959 Constitution, partially suspended since 1967).
On the international level, Brunei strengthened relations with the other countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and in particular with Singapore, a reservoir of skilled labor and an important commercial partner. In 1992 he joined the movement of non-aligned countries and in 1993 established diplomatic relations with Russia, the People’s Republic of China, Vietnam and Burma. In 1995 he became a member of the IMF.