Brunei is a Southeast Asian country, officially named Negara Brunei Darussalam. The country has an area of 5,765km2, along Borneo’s northern coast. Brunei. A constitutional monarchy is a form of government that is ruled by a sultan as the head of the state. Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, is the present sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam. He has complete discretion over the entire country, which is assisted by his five councils which are: the Religious Council, the Council of the Ministers or the Cabinet, the Privy Council, the Legislative Council, and the Council of Succession. These councils give advice and help the sultan in making decisions for his country.
Brunei nationals are called Bruneians, which today, has around 300,000 populations. The country consists mainly of 64% Malays and 20% with that Chinese, being Muslim as the predominant religion with 63% of the country’s population, and 14% on Buddhism. Their primary language is Malay, Chinese which consists of different dialects, and also English. The economy is rich with crude oil and natural gases which the country is most likely supported. Though considered a third-world country, Brunei is proud that it can support the country’s medical services and provides food and housing funds on its own.
Interesting Facts About Brunei
Business in Brunei is like any other business in other countries, though they do have some things they want business travelers to keep in mind, to avoid being thought of as rude:
- Business attires must be conservative. Men, for example, should wear a suit and tie while doing business, and women, on the other hand, are advised to wear a business suit or dress with long sleeves and a long skirt preferably right below the knee.
- A handshake is considerable enough during first meetings with business colleagues; to show respect between each other.
- Public alcohol drinking is strictly prohibited, so you might want to exclude that from your planner.
- Also, prevent being too loud when you’re in public; the country is admired for their being discreet at all times.
- It is considered too in Brunei (and mostly all other Muslim nations) that the head is the most important section of the body, as the feet are the least important, and it is required to remove our shoes whenever we enter someone’s house.
- Likewise too, the Bruneians do not allow pointing fingers with the index finger. It is more advisable to use the thumb instead.
Other than those, Brunei is a friendly country with friendly people, so if you’re friendly enough either, you won’t find any difficulty with your visit.