Brunei’s Minister of Transport and Infocommunications, Pg Dato Shamhary Pg Dato Hj Mustapha, recently announced that the Ministry is laying the groundwork to join Malaysia’s “Trans-Borneo Railway” feasibility study set to begin mid-2025. Brunei and Malaysia started discussions in late 2024 to link the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, via Brunei Darussalam, and potentially to the new Indonesian capital of Nusantara. The idea was first proposed by former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak to former Indonesian president Joko Widodo in 2015 to improve cross-border passenger and freight transport.
Bruneian infrastructure developers and stakeholders are closely tracking the project development, as the Trans-Borneo Railway has the potential to revolutionize commerce and transport on the island. Aside from rail infrastructure, Brunei International Airport seeks to expand its commercial air travel routes and attract new airline operators to the country in addition to expanding Brunei Royal Airlines. The country’s largest seaport, Maura Port, also aims to double its shipping capacity by 2027 with facility expansion.
The resurfacing of this pan-island railway and air-connectivity projects, along with digital initiatives such as the upcoming Maritime Single Window (a digital platform for shipping and port activities) are examples Brunei positioning itself as a hub for regional trade and logistics. These latest efforts will help enhance the country's attractiveness for foreign businesses while creating new opportunities for U.S. companies in heavy industry and sectors that stand to benefit from improved logistics in such a growing market.
