Brunei's central bank launches a ten-year financial sector blueprint for 2026–2035

Facts

BDCB launched the Financial Sector Blueprint (FSBP) 2026–2035 on 29 September 2026, the second ten-year plan for the sector (sources: BDCB; Xinhua). Its vision is a resilient and innovative financial sector supporting sustainable growth and inclusive social well-being. The three strategic thrusts are a progressive and innovative financial sector (market deepening and wider inclusion), sustainability through finance (ESG and sustainability-related risks), and modern, technology-driven financial infrastructure. The three goals are to safeguard monetary and financial stability, drive forward-looking development and build a future-ready ecosystem (source: BDCB).

At the launch, Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, as BDCB Board Chairman, Dato Seri Setia Dr Abdul Manaf Metussin said total financial system assets grew 2.3% a year on average over the decade, to BND 25.9 bn in 2025. ¹ Banks' financing to businesses stood at BND 6.2 bn in the first half of 2026, double the 2016 level, and the financial sector contributes about 6.0% of GDP, against an average of 5.6% a decade ago (source: Borneo Bulletin via The Star). ²

Analysis

The numbers show a sector that grew slowly in total but shifted toward business lending. Business financing doubled over the decade while total assets compounded at only 2.3% a year a year, so lending to firms grew much faster than the financial system as a whole. Growth will now depend on a weaker macro backdrop: ADB expects GDP growth of 1.2% in 2026 and 1.9% in 2027. ³

The blueprint arrives with BDCB's conduct agenda already set: fair-treatment requirements for financial consumers apply from March 2027. Like Timor-Leste, which launched its TuQR payment system in September, Brunei is putting payment and data infrastructure at the centre of its plan; unlike Timor-Leste, it is a high-income economy, so the blueprint's inclusion aims are more likely to centre on SME and digital credit than on first-time accounts.

Implications

Counterpoints and uncertainties

The launch coverage gives no quantitative targets for inclusion, digital payments or SME financing, so progress will be hard to measure until BDCB publishes indicators. The economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, and weak growth could limit credit demand regardless of the blueprint.