The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam published its August 2026 Business Sentiment Index (BSI), incorporating a revised methodology and reporting improved business conditions compared with July. The headline Current Business Conditions index stood at 78.1, supported by energy production, new project awards and seasonal demand. Respondents expected only a slight improvement in September, with the index for business conditions one month ahead at 56.5. The revised methodology allows the BSI to use the full 0–100 scale, replacing a calculation that constrained readings to 49.0–51.0. Readings from 45.0 to 55.0 now indicate neutral sentiment, replacing the fixed neutral point of 50.0. Values above 55.0 indicate expansion or optimism compared with the previous month, while those below 45.0 indicate contraction or pessimism. Historical data have been recalculated and published to maintain comparability. The underlying sentiment and economic interpretation of past results remain unchanged. Investment sentiment remained optimistic, with readings of 81.0 for August, 79.8 for one month ahead and 81.1 for three months ahead. Planned spending covered equipment, inventories and construction, alongside technology and production infrastructure upgrades. Employment readings of 46.6 for August and 47.1 for one month ahead indicated broadly stable staffing, with much recruitment replacing departing employees rather than expanding capacity. Operating costs rose in August, reflected in a reading of 61.0, but respondents expected broadly unchanged costs in September, at 49.9. The survey covers approximately 500 businesses across 11 sectors and all districts of Brunei Darussalam.
Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam revises business sentiment methodology as August index shows stronger conditions
The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam published its August 2026 Business Sentiment Index using a revised methodology that allows the full 0–100 scale and defines 45.0–55.0 as neutral, with historical data recalculated for comparability. Current business conditions registered 78.1, indicating improvement from July, while respondents expected only slight improvement in September, at 56.5. Investment sentiment remained optimistic, employment was broadly stable, and operating costs rose in August but were expected to remain stable in September.