The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam released Brunei Darussalam’s Business Sentiment Index (BSI) for March 2025, based on surveys of more than 500 businesses across 11 sectors and all districts. The Current Business Conditions sub-index edged below neutral at 49.9, indicating slightly more pessimistic views than the previous month, while the one-month-ahead business conditions index rose to 50.3 for April 2025, signalling a modest improvement in sentiment. The March reading was attributed mainly to reduced consumer demand and slower project mobilisation linked to shorter operating hours during Ramadhan, partly offset by expectations of higher activity tied to advanced spending ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Sub-indices showed a broadly steady outlook: investment was 50.1 for current, one-month-ahead and three-month-ahead horizons; employment stood at 50.2 (current) and 50.3 (one month ahead); and costs were 49.9 (current) and 50.2 (one month ahead), with one-month-ahead cost expectations including higher manpower costs and reference to the second phase of Brunei Darussalam’s minimum wage policy. By sector, four of 11 sectors reported optimism in March, led by Wholesale & Retail Trade at 50.7, while Health & Education recorded the lowest sentiment at 49.3.
Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam 2025-05-13
Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam publishes March 2025 Business Sentiment Index showing slightly weaker current conditions but improvement one month ahead
The Central Bank of Brunei Darussalam released the Business Sentiment Index for March 2025, showing the Current Business Conditions sub-index slightly below neutral at 49.9, while the one-month-ahead index improved to 50.3 for April. Reduced consumer demand and slower project mobilisation during Ramadhan impacted sentiment, though expectations of increased activity ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri provided some offset. Wholesale & Retail Trade showed optimism at 50.7, whereas Health & Education recorded the lowest sentiment at 49.3.