The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam (BDCB) published Brunei Darussalam’s Business Sentiment Index (BSI) for August 2025, based on a survey of about 500 businesses across 11 economic sectors. The headline Current Business Conditions sub-index was 50.0, indicating no change from the previous month, while the one-month-ahead reading was also 50.0, pointing to broadly similar conditions projected for September (with values above 50 signalling expansion and below 50 signalling contraction versus the prior month). The release reports mixed sentiment by sector and firm size, with school holidays supporting travel-related activity and staycations but dampening demand for sectors exposed to outbound travel; other drivers cited include project awards, export opportunities, weather-related disruptions, limited project availability, cash flow pressures, and overseas competition. Sub-indices showed Investment slightly positive at 50.4 in August (with forward readings reported at 50.1–50.4 one month ahead and 50.5 three months ahead), Employment marginally negative at 49.9 for both the current month and one month ahead, and Costs at 50.3 in August and 49.6 one month ahead. By sector, Transport & Communication (50.7) and Hotels & Restaurants (50.3) were among the more optimistic, while Health & Education (49.4) was the weakest; by size, small firms were below 50 at 49.5, while micro and large firms were at 50.0.
Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam 2025-10-10
Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam publishes August 2025 Business Sentiment Index with current conditions unchanged at 50.0
The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam released the Business Sentiment Index for August 2025, showing a stable Current Business Conditions sub-index at 50.0, with similar projections for September. Sectoral sentiment varied, with Transport & Communication and Hotels & Restaurants optimistic, while Health & Education lagged. Investment was slightly positive, Employment marginally negative, and Costs showed a slight decline in the forward outlook.