Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah highlighted that a crucial aspect of the country’s industrial development is the alignment of government policies, including regulations.
He made this statement in response to the matter raised by Legislative Council (LegCo) member Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Laila Setia Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Ibrahim at the 21st LegCo session regarding the latest update on the Integrated Industrial Policy.
Currently, there are regulators overseeing specific activities. For example, land-related issues, including land misuse, fall under the jurisdiction of the Land Department. Building-related matters in urban areas are regulated by the Authority on Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi), while district areas are overseen by Town and Country Planning Department. Additionally, fire safety regulations for business premises are managed by the Fire and Rescue Department.
Previously, activities in the country were regulated under the Miscellaneous Licences Act through the issuance of business licences known as Rampaian Licences, issued under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). However, the Act was revoked in 2016, as the requirement to obtain such licences was found to negatively impact the country’s position in the Ease of Doing Business rankings.
Following the revocation of the Miscellaneous Licences Act, several agencies took the initiative to regulate specific types of business activities.
For instance, the MoHA now oversees beauty and health establishments, while the Brunei Darussalam Food Authority (BDFA) regulates food-related businesses.
Although these steps have been successfully implemented within the industry and business ecosystem under the Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE), it has been identified that certain business activities remain unregulated by any agency.
As a result, the MoFE has reviewed the suitability of the Industrial Coordination Order 2001 (ICO 2001), which has never been enforced and plans to amend and expand its scope. The proposed amendments aim to create more comprehensive regulations with specific policies for various industrial activities, including manufacturing, retail and other sectors.
Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew further added that this initiative will be strengthened by the ongoing review and update of the ICO 2001 Act by relevant government agencies.
He also emphasised that policies for industrial development will require a more coordinated and whole-of-nation approach to maximise their positive impact on economic growth. This effort involves collaboration across several ministries, government agencies and the private sector, including financial institutions. At the same time, it will ensure the integrity of actions taken and facilitate targeted income for industrial development.
With the enactment and updating of this order, Brunei Darussalam will not only offer a more controlled and organised industrial ecosystem but will also align government policies more comprehensively to support local industrial development efforts, the minister said. – Lyna Mohamad
