Everything you need to know about Brunei: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Brunei: Oil Rich Country of South-East Asia
Brunei is a country of vast and dense forests having mangrove swamps and varied flora and fauna. It was a strong and powerful nation ruled by the Sultanate until 14 to 16th century and was then taken over by the European powers that plundered its natural wealth reserves and weakened its economy. Later it waged a war with Spain in which Brunei emerged victorious. However, some areas of Brunei were invaded by the neighboring Malaysia, as a result Brunei is currently left with a small landmass. In 1959, it was declared a self-governing state while the security issues came under the control of United Kingdom and till date it has not joined the Malaysian Federation. By far the biggest city in Brunei is its capital, Bandar Seri Begawan and the most famous citizen is the Prince of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah who is also among the richest persons in the world.
Country Facts:
Culture and Cuisine of Brunei:
Brunei's culture is mainly derived from the Old Malay World from Malay Archipelago, known as the Malay Civilisation. Brunei's culture is influenced by various cultural elements of foreign civilisations. The influence of Animism, Hinduism, Islam and the West can be seen in this country. Islam is rooted deeply into the culture of Brunei hence it became a way of life and adopted as the state's ideology and philosophy.
Bruneian cuisine is similar to that of Malaysia. The majority of the dishes are rich in spices and eaten with rice or noodles. Bruneian cuisine offers wide variety of barbequed fish, chicken wings, satay, kueh melayu, chicken wings, satay, kueh melayu.
Other specialty of Bruneian cuisine is Ambuyat or 'edible glue'. It is made from Grilled fish, a spicy mango sauce and select vegetables.
Tourist Attractions of Brunei:
Brunei Darussalam is one of the frequently visited tourist destinations in the Asian continent. There are many popular tourist spots that give the glimpse of Bruneian history and natural beauty. These various places in Brunei offer glimpses of this historic nation that was once a mighty empire but now only a pictorial version remains after being ravaged by colonial forces.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Brunei include:
Chennai, May 23 (IANS) German automobile major Daimler AG will start exports of FUSO range of trucks - belonging to Japanese Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) - to Sri Lanka out of its plant near here from June, said a senior official near here Thursday.
Beijing, Apr. 25 (Xinhua-ANI): ASEAN leaders Thursday reaffirmed their full support for all efforts to bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the early resumption of the Six-party Talks.
Beijing, April 22 (IANS) The second stop of IPC Athletics Grand Prix Tour kicked off here Monday, after the first stop held in Dubai last month.
Hanoi, April 17 (IANS) Vietnam sent 32 karate martial artists to the Philippines for the second Southeast Asian Karatedo Championships to be held in Pampanga April 18-21.
Yangon, April 10 (IANS) Myanmar's finance and revenue ministry Wednesday appointed two foreign companies as sponsorship management consultant for upcoming 27th Southeast Asian Games to be held in Myanmar later this year.
New Delhi, Apr 4 (ANI): United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) commission's conference on sustainable tourism development and 25th joint meeting of the UNWTO commission for East Asia, Pacific and South Asia will be held in Hyderabad from April 12.
Manila, March 27 (IANS) The Philippines defeated Turkmenistan 1-0 to earn a spot in next year's Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge Cup in the Maldives.
Kuala Lumpur, March 21 (IANS) The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should further boost investment to weather uncertainties of the current global economic climate, said its deputy secretary-general Lim Hong Hin Thursday.
Manila, March 18 (IANS) Australia, Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand will take part in a maritime security discussion with the US and the Philippines during a military exercise to be held in April, a Philippine official said.
Washington, March 15 (IANS) US Secretary of State John Kerry will make his first trip to Asia next month with stops in South Korea, Japan and China, the State Department said.
Washington, Mar. 13 (ANI): President Barack Obama joked about the Sultan of Brunei's great wealth as the Asian leader visited the White House on Tuesday.
New Delhi, Mar 1 (IANS) A proposal to extend the visa-on-arrival scheme to 16 countries was submitted Friday by Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, the tourism ministry said.
New Delhi, Jan 21 (ANI): Asserting that bilateral relations between India and Australia has shown steady progress over time with consolidation of its strategic partnership through expansion and deepening of cooperation in various sectors, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Monday said both nations will continue to build upon these and also in new areas of cooperation.
Washington, Jan. 17 (ANI): Lindsay Lohan's father Michael has dismissed rumours that he accused his daughter of being "paid to date rich men."
Beijing, Jan 10 (IANS) China Thursday said it will continue to oppose any infringement on the country's sovereignty over its territorial waters by Japan, Vietnam and the Philippines, Xinhua reported.
Beijing, Jan 1 (IANS) The credibility of the Olympic Movement was called into question in 2012 again when a string of scandals and controversies hit the London Olympics.
New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) One of the wealthiest men on earth, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussulam, loves flying so much that he captained his huge Boeing 747 aircraft to New Delhi, as he did on his previous visit to India in 2008.
New Delhi, Dec.21 (ANI): The India-ASEAN Special Commemorative Summit began in New Delhi with participating nations vowing to step up cooperation on maritime security, a move that comes amid tension with China in the potentially oil- and gas-rich South China Sea.
New Delhi, Dec.21 (ANI): A summit between India and ASEAN began in New Delhi with the hope of signing an upgraded free trade agreement.
New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) For the heads of state, government and even a sultan, it was the finest in Indian cuisine that was on offer at Taj Palace Hotel where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur hosted a luncheon in honour of ASEAN leaders here Friday.
The Prime Minister Manmohan Singh commenting over the growing relationship between India and ASEAN countries said, "India -ASEAN relations are at an exciting stage".......................
New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Friday said India and ASEAN have embarked on a new journey of closer cooperation and deeper ties for peace, progress and prosperity of the region, and the world at large.
In the move to enhance trading relationship to South East Asian countries, India Friday is set to sign on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)..............
New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) Larik dancers from Indonesia swayed with kathak dancers from India, dudang dudang dancers from Brunei joined rhythm with India's famed kuchipudi artists while the Myanmarese did a cultural synthesis with Laotians. Various song and dance traditions representing 10 ASEAN countries fused in a rich cultural medley to celebrate the common cultural space and civilisation they have shared for over two millennia.
New Delhi, Dec 21 (ANI): India is set to sign an agreement on free trade in services and investment with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which could enhance trade up to $100 billion by 2015.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (IANS) The free trade agreement (FTA) in services and investment, that India and 10 ASEAN countries finalised after intense negotiations Thursday, creates one of the world's biggest free trade areas with a market of around 1.8 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of $2.8 trillion.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak met his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Thursday and sought closer cooperation in security and economic sphere ahead of the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-India dialogue partnership summit.
Singapore, Dec 20 (IANS) India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have largely resolved their differences and are close to striking an upgraded free trade agreement, a media report Thursday quoted Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang as saying.
New Delhi, Dec 20 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the visiting heads of State of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Its being called a commemorative summit, but it's more of a celebratory gathering. India and the 10-member ASEAN - its neighbours in the southeast - are set to take their ties to a strategic level at a two-day summit beginning here Thursday - a relationship that has been on a growth trajectory for the past 20 years and has witnessed "really no problem areas".
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) India and the 10-member ASEAN - its neighbours in the southeast - are set to take their close ties to a significantly higher level at a two-day commemorative summit beginning here Thursday - a relationship that has been on a growth trajectory for the past 20 years and has witnessed "really no problem areas".
New Delhi, Dec 19 (ANI): President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the visiting heads of state/government of the ASEAN-India Special Commemorative Summit at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee will receive the ASEAN leadership at Rashtrapati Bhavan Thursday when they arrive in the capital to participate in the ASEAN-India Special Commemorative Summit, an official statement from the president's office said Wednesday.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) India and the 10-nation ASEAN will hold a two-day commemorative summit starting Thursday that is expected to culminate in a free trade agreement in services and a vision document on scaling up ties across diverse areas, including trade, energy, security and cultural connectivity.
New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) India is set to scale up its multi-faceted relations with the 10-nation Asean to new heights with the two sides expected to declare a free trade agreement (FTA) in services and investment at the two-day commemorative summit that starts Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 18 (IANS) India is poised to give a big boost to its Look East policy when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holds bilateral talks with leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia on the sidelines of the two-day commemorative summit with the Asean regional grouping that starts here Thursday.
New Delhi, Dec 5 (IANS) Delhiites may face traffic chaos during the three-day India-ASEAN summit during which much movement of VVIP state guests and their motorcades is expected.
London, Dec 1 (ANI): ASEAN head Surin Pitsuwan has expressed concerns that China's plan to board ships in disputed areas of the South China Sea could escalate tensions in the region.
Sydney, Nov 23 (ANI): Vietnam and the Philippines have protested against China's decision to include disputed South China Sea islands on maps printed inside new passports issued by the country.
Phnom Penh, Nov. 21 (ANI): Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has made a strong defence of his country's claim to almost all of the South China Sea.
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) Southeast Asia is emerging resilient from the global economic turmoil and will grow at a "robust" average of 5.5 percent over the next five years, propelled by rising investment and domestic consumption, says the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said that "the best is yet to come" in India's relations with the 10?member Asean.
Phnom Penh, Nov. 20 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, met
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei.
Phnom Penh, Nov 20 (IANS) Talks begin here Tuesday for a mega trade pact among 10 Asean countries and its six dialogue partners, including India, that enjoy considerable clout today, thanks to their 40 percent share in global output and three?billion population.
Abu Dhabi, Nov 19 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Brunei have held discussions over education and ways to boost cooperation.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Nov 19 (IANS) The ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit was held here Monday to discuss measures and actions to further enhance their cooperation in the future.
New Delhi, Nov 16 (IANS) Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh Friday said he will be playing the upcoming tournaments despite a finger injury.
Manado (Indonesia), Nov 14 (IANS) Indian and Indonesian entrepreneurs have pledged to boost cooperation at a business seminar held in Indonesia's North Sulawesi island to commemorate the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India partnership.
New Delhi, Nov 7 (IANS) The first ministerial meeting between ASEAN and India on renewable energy cooperation Wednesday discussed policy and regulatory frameworks for promoting renewable energy in ASEAN member countries and India.
New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) Global interline pack oneworld Tuesday said Malaysia Airlines will become a full member of the alliance from Feb 1, 2013.
Jakarta, Oct 25 (IANS) Over 200 business representatives from India, Indonesia and other ASEAN countries have pledged to promote cooperation at a seminar held here as part of a series of events being organised to mark the 20th anniversary of their friendship.
Washington, Oct. 22 (ANI): Chinese leaders did not refer to the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands as a 'core national interest' during talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in September in an apparent attempt to avoid a diplomatic clash with Washington, State Department sources have said.
New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS) India Saturday sought greater energy cooperation, including the sale of LNG, with Brunei, the oil-rich southeast Asian state.
Washington, Oct. 20 (Xinhua-ANI): The U.S. Defense Department is open to considering a Thai request to allow Myanmar's military officers to observe a joint military exercise, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said here on Friday.
Washington, Oct 19 (IANS/EFE) President Barack Obama will continue to push for strengthening trade and public security in Latin America if he is re-elected Nov 6, the top US envoy to the region said Thursday.
New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) India and Brunei will explore the possibilities of having joint ventures in hospitality and infrastructural development.
New Delhi, Oct 18 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will pay a two-day official visit to Brunei beginning on Friday.
New Delhi, Oct 18 (ANI): India and Brunei will explore the possibilities of joint venture investment in the field of hotel industry and infrastructural development. Brunei will also consider investing in India's hotel sector, which has been opened up for hundred percent foreign direct investment.
New Delhi, Oct 18 (IANS) Ahead of the India-ASEAN summit, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna travels to Brunei Friday on a two-day visit expected to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries.
New Delhi, Oct 11 (ANI): Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has informed that an integrated online visa application system under the mission mode project on Immigration Visa and Foreigners Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) was operationalised in the Embassy of India at Mexico, Bogota (Colombia), Guatemala, Tel Aviv (Israel) and Darussalam (Brunei).
New Delhi, Oct. 3 (ANI): Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Wednesday reiterated the importance of cooperation and collaboration among maritime agencies in South Asia to ensure the security and safety of the oceans.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (ANI): The eighth meeting of Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) will be held in New Delhi on Wednesday.
New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS) Indian Coast Guard and their Japanese counterparts will host eight heads of Asian coast guard agencies meet (HACGAM), an official statement said Tuesday. It will be held here Wednesday to discuss ways to combat piracy and step up maritime security.
Islamabad, Sept. 25 (ANI): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has offered facilities at its National Cricket Academies to groom players of the associate Asian Cricket Council (ACC) member nations.
Beijing, Sep 23 (IANS) China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have launched a plan to boost cooperation in the fields of science and technology.
Beijing, Sep 21 (IANS) China Friday vowed to resolve its differences with neighbours concerning territorial rights through friendly negotiations.
Kochi, Sep 15 (IANS) INS Sudarshini, the sail training ship of the Indian Navy, Saturday began a historical mission to celebrate India's warm ties with ASEAN countries.
Beijing, Sep 5 (IANS) President Hu Jintao met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton here Wednesday and appreciated her efforts to push forward ties between the two countries.
Siem Reap (Cambodia), Aug 31 (Xinhua) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic ministers agreed Friday to deepen the bloc's integration efforts towards realising an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, officials said.
New Delhi, Aug 26 (IANS) India continued to be a favourite overseas destination for world leaders with as many as 21 heads of state or government visiting the country in the first eight months of this year and the leaders of Russia, Australia and Canada on the way.
Shillong, Aug 24 (IANS) The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) would soon float global tender for introducing polymer currency notes, Deputy Governor K.C. Chakrabarty said Friday.
London, August 7 (IANS) From being non-existent at the first modern Olympics to being nearly half of the total competitors in current edition, women athletes have come a long way and the London Games are surely abuzz with women power.
London, July 28 (IANS) Two points away from reaching the women's 10m air rifle final, Bahya Mansour Al Hamad still made history by becoming the first female Olympian of Qatar.
London, July 28 (IANS) British Queen Elizabeth II declared the London Olympics officially open early Saturday morning at a spectacular opening ceremony directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Danny Boyle.
Bandar Seri Begawan, July 21 (IANS) Twelve people were killed when an air force helicopter crashed in Brunei, the country's defence ministry said Saturday. There were two survivors.
New Delhi, July 19 (IANS) Chiefs of coast guard agencies of 17 Asian nations will meet here in October this year when they are expected to discuss issues ranging from piracy in the region to law enforcement, maritime crimes and disaster management.
London, July 13 (ANI): The London Olympics will be first ever games in history when women athletes from every country will compete in the games, including longtime holdout Saudi Arabia, the International Olympic Committee announced.
Phnom Penh, July 11 (IANS) The US wants to strengthen relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), July 8 (Xinhua-ANI): Four out of the five recognized nuclear-weapon states (P5) will not be ready to sign on the protocol to the treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting next week, a Cambodian senior official said Sunday.
Bishkek, June 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Kyrgyzstan's parliament approved a draft law Thursday scrapping entry visa requirements for the citizens of 44 states for a stay of less than 60 days.
Jakarta, June 12 (IANS) India's Ambassador to Indonesia Gurjit Singh Tuesday met the country's parliamentary speaker Marzuki Alie and handed him an invitation to visit India.
New Delhi/Darjeeling, June 9 (IANS) A new chapter in cultural exchange opened in West Bengal's Darjeeling hills Saturday with the inauguration of a week-long international arts residency programme featuring 25 artists from the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) member-countries.
Phnom Penh, May 27 (IANS) Officials of India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are meeting here Sunday to review their bilateral cooperation.
London, May 25(ANI): The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board's failure to take action against Saudi Arabia for refusing to include women in their squad for the London Olympics has angered and distressed international human rights groups.
Colombo, May 21 (Xinhua-ANI): The 15th Asian Junior Athletics Championships, which was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka next month, has been postponed, the Sports Ministry said on Monday.
Port Klang (Malaysia), May 3 (Xinhua-ANI): Chinese Navy training vessel "Zhenghe" left Malaysia on Thursday after a five-day visit to the country.
Jakarta, May 1 (Xinhua-ANI): A senior European Union (EU) official said here on Tuesday that EU will cut aid to Indonesia in the fields of education, good governance, climate change, and trade investment in 2014, a local media reported.
Brunei, Apr 28 (Xinhua-ANI): Europen Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is travelling to Myanmar on Saturday and open an EU office in Yangon, a further move after the bloc suspended most sanctions on the country earlier this month. However, its members seems still divided on whether to fully and permanently lift the sanctions.
London, April 26 (ANI): A new research has revealed that tobacco companies are designing cigarette packs to resemble bottles of perfume or with lids that flip open like a lighter to lure young people into smoking.
Manila, April 24 (ANI): The Philippines has warned that aggressive Chinese claims on the South China Sea pose a threat to its neighbours, and has called on other countries to take a stand on this issue.
London, Apr 23 (ANI): A new report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) says China needs a "consistent policy" on the South China Sea if it is to resolve disputes.
Phnom Penh (Cambodia), April 20 (Xinhua-ANI): Cambodia will host regional security meetings next week among the 10-member the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and eight dialogue partners.
Phnom Penh, April 3 (IANS) Cambodia, the current ASEAN chair, has called for stronger financial cooperation among its member countries to promote economic growth.
Beijing, Apr 2 (ANI): China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work hard to boost practical cooperation and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to a joint statement due to be issued by China and Cambodia.
Washington, Mar 27(ANI): The United States and Australia are planning to augment military ties, including possible drone attacks from a coral atoll in the Indian Ocean and increased U.S. naval access to Australian ports.
London, Mar 17 (ANI): Tamara Ecclestone was shocked to discover that not only is her boyfriend Omar Khyami not a stockbroker but he's also an ex-convict who received an 18-month jail sentence for handling stolen watches, and has a conviction for violence.
London, Mar 17 (ANI): Tamara Ecclestone was shocked to discover that not only is her boyfriend Omar Khyami not a stockbroker but he's also an ex-convict who received an 18-month jail sentence for handling stolen watches, and has a conviction for violence.
In a bid to strengthen mutual relationship between India and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), a two-day meeting of higher delegates is set to begin today in New Delhi.....
Manila, Jan 09(ANI): Philippines has accused China of intruding into its waters around the Spratly Islands.
