{
  "title": "Brunei Darussalam: 2023 Article IV Consultation—Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for Brunei Darussalam",
  "publication": "IMF Staff Country Reports, October 6, 2023",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/cr/issues/2023/10/06/brunei-darussalam-2023-article-iv-consultation-press-release-staff-report-and-statement-by-539992",
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  "summary": "The 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that Brunei has begun to recover from the pandemic, with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions lifted and borders reopened in 2022.",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Overview",
      "content": "- The 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that Brunei has begun to recover from the pandemic, with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions lifted and borders reopened in 2022.\n- Brunei’s high vaccination rates have allowed for the removal of COVID-19 restrictions and reopening of borders; however, reduced oil and gas (O&G) production have undermined the recovery.\n- High fuel prices helped strengthen the fiscal and external positions in 2022.\n- Inflation hit a historical high but has recently declined.\n- The government is committed to diversifying toward a low-carbon economy."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Macroeconomic developments and outlook",
      "content": "- Growth in 2023 would remain negative due to extended O&G infrastructure maintenance.\n- Non-oil sectors will contribute positively to growth, aiding diversification.\n- Inflation is anticipated to moderate further.\n- The overall fiscal and external positions are projected to weaken in 2023 and the medium term."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Fiscal and external positions",
      "content": "- High fuel prices strengthened fiscal and external positions in 2022.\n- Projection: fiscal and external positions weaken in 2023 and the medium term."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Financial sector",
      "content": "- The financial sector remains liquid and well capitalized."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Structural policies and diversification",
      "content": "- The government is committed to diversifying toward a low-carbon economy.\n- Non-oil sector growth is expected to help the diversification agenda."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Policy recommendations and priorities",
      "content": "- Prioritize human capital development and digitalization.\n- Strengthen the regulatory framework for public private partnership.\n- Consider more extensive participation in regional trade and economic partnerships.\n\nIMF Staff Country Report No. 2023/346\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- 1brnea2023001\n  - 1brnea2023001 (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - 1brnea2023001 (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}"
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    "Published: October 6, 2023",
    "Series: IMF Staff Country Reports",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400255762.002",
    "The 2023 Article IV Consultation discusses that Brunei has begun to recover from the pandemic, with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions lifted and borders reopened in 2022.",
    "Brunei’s high vaccination rates have allowed for the removal of COVID-19 restrictions and reopening of borders; however, reduced oil and gas (O&G) production have undermined the recovery.",
    "High fuel prices helped strengthen the fiscal and external positions in 2022.",
    "Inflation hit a historical high but has recently declined.",
    "The government is committed to diversifying toward a low-carbon economy.",
    "Growth in 2023 would remain negative due to extended O&G infrastructure maintenance.",
    "Non-oil sectors will contribute positively to growth, aiding diversification.",
    "Inflation is anticipated to moderate further.",
    "The overall fiscal and external positions are projected to weaken in 2023 and the medium term.",
    "High fuel prices strengthened fiscal and external positions in 2022.",
    "Projection: fiscal and external positions weaken in 2023 and the medium term.",
    "The financial sector remains liquid and well capitalized.",
    "The government is committed to diversifying toward a low-carbon economy.",
    "Non-oil sector growth is expected to help the diversification agenda.",
    "Prioritize human capital development and digitalization.",
    "Strengthen the regulatory framework for public private partnership.",
    "Consider more extensive participation in regional trade and economic partnerships.",
    "**1brnea2023001**"
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