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Currently, TDD (Tourism Development Department) is in the process of implementing the Brunei Tourism Master Plan (2011-2015). The Brunei Tourism Master Plan is designed to provide strategic direction to guide Brunei Darussalam to achieve an economically viable and sustainable tourism development that fits with Brunei Darussalam national agenda on natural environment and the perpetuation of our culture and values. The Brunei Tourism Master Plan identified two main clusters to drive growth under the primary offerings – Nature, and Culture & Islamic (heritage) to be supported by secondary offerings and optimisation of current product offerings. A total of 25 initiatives and 69 projects were identified to drive tourism growth to achieve 50% increase in visitor spending (18% CAGR); 27% increase in visitor arrivals; 53% increase in investment and 38% increase in total tourism-related employment by 2016.

Brunei Research Incentive Scheme (BRISc) is a cost- sharing scheme to support R&D activities conducted in the five focus areas, which is Energy, Environment, Health Care & Health Sciences, Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and Food Security. It is eligible for local and foreign companies. For local companies, the Brunei Government is able to cost share up to 80% of the R&D cost. For foreign companies conducting R&D in Brunei Darussalam in collaboration with a local Government agency or with an Institute of Higher Learning (IHL), up to 70% of the R&D cost can be cost shared by the Brunei Government. For foreign companies conducting their R&D project in Brunei Darussalam on its own, the Brunei Government can still potentially cost share up to 50% of the R&D Cost. The maximum funding amount for each project submitted by companies is BND 5 million, with 3-year project duration. Companies are allowed to apply for multiple projects. Part of the deliverables under BRISc is capacity building of local students, researchers and engineers, who must be able to participate in the projects proposed. The Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) has received endorsement from the Brunei Research Council (BRC) on 3rd July 2012 to implement BRISc, and has been allocated BND20M as seed funding for a period of 2 years.

(…) In 2012, the Brunei Research Incentive Scheme (BRISc) was launched by the BEDB to support R&D. Bruneian-owned and foreign companies engaged in energy, environment, health, food security, and ICT, are eligible under the scheme. BRISc is a cost-sharing grant with a maximum allocation of B$5 million per project. BRISc offers three levels of financing: 80% of the cost of the project is financed by BEDB for projects developed by Bruneian owned enterprises; 70% for projects developed by foreign enterprises in collaboration with IHLs or governmental agencies; and 50% for projects developed by foreign enterprises. Projects must not exceed three years. .

Table 6.1 Projects funded by BRC (Brunei Research Council)
(US$)
Agency: Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR)
Title: Faunal Biodiversity Survey in the Extension Zone of the Proposed Ulu Belait Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Principle researcher: Dr. Ang Bee Biaw
Budeget allocated: 1,463,044.00

Agency:Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD)
Title: Green Communities, Power Swing in Electricity Grids & Consumer and Grid Friendly Homes
Principle researcher: Dr Lim Chee Ming
Budget allocated: 13,355,000.00

Brunei Darussalam remains strongly committed in its efforts towards achieving economic diversification and sustainable development.

Brunei has the lowest electricity rate and the highest energy intensity of all ASEAN countries. The Government spends some B$40 million per year on its electricity subsidy, out of a total annual energy subsidy of about B$1 billion. Steps are being taken to reduce 45% of its energy intensity by 2035 and improve efficiency. (…)

(…) To address this, Brunei is taking steps to reduce 45% its energy intensity by 2035 (with 2005 as base year) and improve efficiency. (…)

Goods imported into Brunei may be subject to import and excise duties (there is no VAT). Since its last TPR, Brunei has introduced new excise duties on liquors, tobacco, vehicles, nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and mechanical appliances, and medical or surgical instruments. The authorities informed that these new excise duties are levied for fiscal, social, health, and environmental considerations. The authorities also indicated that goods subject to excise duties are not manufactured in Brunei.

Brunei's legislation on excise taxes is contained in the Excise Order 2006, which allows the Minister of Finance to impose and revoke excise taxes on any goods deemed appropriate. Until 31 December 2007, excise duties were levied only on Samsu liquor (included medicated Samsu liquor). Since 1 January 2008, excise duties are levied on liquors (Chapter 22); tobacco (Chapter 24); vehicles (Chapter 87); and, effective from 1 April 2012, excise duties are also applied on nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and mechanical appliances (Chapter 84), and medical or surgical instruments (Chapter 90). The authorities informed that these new excise duties are levied for fiscal, social, health, and environmental considerations. The authorities also indicated that all goods subject to excise duty were not manufactured in Brunei. Import duties on products subject to excise duties have been eliminated.

Excise rates are set as a percentage of the value of the goods with the exception of liquors and tobacco (Table 3.5). In 2012, changes were introduced to the rate applied to passengers' vehicles in an effort to encourage the use of energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly vehicles. Originally set at 20%, the rate is now based on the engine capacity and is divided in five tiers ranging from 15% for vehicles with engine capacity not exceeding 1,700 cc to 35% for those with engine capacity exceeding 3,500 cc. Diesel vehicles are also charged an additional 5% on the applied excise rate and hybrid vehicles (petrol or diesel) are granted a 5% reduction. The rate for vehicles used for public transport was reduced from 20% to 15%, while that for other vehicles remains unchanged (20%). The rate is set at 5% for nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and mechanical appliances, and medical or surgical instruments.