The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam released Brunei Darussalam’s Business Sentiment Index (BSI) for December 2025, based on a survey of around 500 businesses across 11 economic sectors. The Current Business Conditions sub-index registered 50.3, indicating a slight improvement versus the previous month, while the one month ahead reading was 50.2, pointing to continued mildly positive expectations for January 2026. Investment sentiment remained modestly expansionary, with the Investment sub-index at 50.4 for the current month, 50.6 one month ahead, and 50.3 three months ahead, with respondents citing year-end project completions and spending on machinery, upgrades and renovations alongside restocking for upcoming festivities. Employment was slightly contractionary at 49.9 for both the current month and one month ahead, reflecting staff turnover, contract expirations and project completions in sectors including Oil and Gas Related, Construction, and Wholesale and Retail Trade. Costs came in at 50.3 for the current month and 49.8 one month ahead, with December pressures linked to bonuses, payroll changes and project-related outlays, and moderation expected as operations normalise after year-end. By sector, Transport and Communication (50.9), Oil and Gas Related (50.5), Hotels and Restaurants (50.2) and Wholesale and Retail Trade (50.1) were in expansionary territory, while Health and Education (49.4) and Other Private Services (49.5) were among the weakest. By firm size, large (50.3) and medium (50.1) businesses were slightly optimistic, while micro and small businesses were neutral at 50.0.

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