Business Licenses & Approval
APPROVALS REQUIRED FOR SPECIFIC BUSINESS ACTIVITIES IN BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
Interested to start a business in a particular industry but not sure where to start? Find out if there are any special approvals required for your business activity below:
| ACCOMMODATION FOR TOURISTS & TRAVEL AGENCY (Hotels, short term accommodation activities, travel agency and tour operator activities) | Theses business activities is subject to rules and regulations of the Tourism Order 2016, under the purview of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism.
For accommodation for tourists, you will be required to register as a Tourist Accommodation Premise under the purview of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Please click
here. For travel agency, you will be required to apply for a travel agent license under the purview of the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. Please click
here. For more information, visit Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Jalan Menteri Besar, Negara Brunei Darussalam or contact +673 2382822 or email at
info@bruneitourism.travel | | ACCOUNTING BOOKKEEPING AND AUDITING ACTIVITIES; TAX CONSULTANCY | A person who intends to provide public accountancy services in Brunei Darussalam must be registered as a public accountant under the Accountants Order 2010 and authorised by the Ministry of Finance. The Accountants Order 2010 defines public accountancy services as the audit and reporting on financial statements and the doing of such other acts that are required by any written law to be done by a public accountant. To be registered as a public accountant, such person must fulfil the requirements in the Accountants Order 2010 and in the guideline prescribed by the Ministry of Finance. If a public accountant wishes to set up an accounting corporation, accounting firm or accounting limited liability partnership, he or she must adhere to Part V of the Accountants Order 2010 and subject to approval by the Ministry of Finance.
For more information, please click
here or contact the Registrar of Public Accountant at 2383933/ 2380651 or visit Revenue Division, Ground Floor, Island Block, Ministry of Finance. | AGRICULTURE (Growing of rice, growing of perennial crops, plant propagation, etc). | You may be required to register with the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism for this activity. For further assistance and advisory services please contact the Department’s Agricultural Extension Unit available in all Districts. Contact details are as linked below:
Please click
here or contact +673 2388 095 /2388 096 or email at info@agriculture.gov.bn | | ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED TECHNICAL CONSULTANCY | You are required to register as a Practitioner Architects/Practitioner Professional Engineers/Practitioner Quantity Surveyors with Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS) to supply Architectural/Professional Engineering/ Surveying services in Brunei Darussalam. For more information, please click
here or visit BAPEQS Secretariat Office, 1st Floor Level, West Wing, Ministry Of Development Training Centre (MODTC), Old Airport Road BB3510, Brunei Darussalam, or contact +673 2381430 or email at
bapeqs.sec@mod.gov.bn
In pursuant to the Environmental Protection and Management Order 2016, you may be required to submit written notification to the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation. For more information, please go to www.env.gov.bn or visit Tumasek Plaza Building, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2111, or contact +673 2421262.
For sewerage/wastewater treatment and connection, you are
required to obtain
sewerage/wastewater connection permits (temporary &
permanent) to connect or discharge to government centralised
sewerage system under the purview of the Department of Drainage and
Sewerage, Public Works Department, Ministry of Development. For more information on sewerage services, please click here and download the forms here, or contact the Director of Drainage and
Sewerage, Public Works Department, Simpang 45, Jalan Landasan Lama, Berakas
BB3510. You may also contact: +673 2383181 or email to: dcu.dds@pwd.gov.bn
| ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND PUBLICATIONS (Creative arts and entertainment activities, newspapers, books and other publishing activities) | You may be subject to rules and regulations under the purview of the the Local Newspaper Act (Chapter 105) and the Undesirable Publications Act (Chapter 25) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. For more information, please click here. If you intend to have an exhibition of photography, pictures, or of statuary or other form of representation of human or animal figures to the public, you will be required to apply for approval for Public Entertainment under Ministry of Home Affairs. Please click here for more information. If you intend to have creative arts and entertainment activities, you will be required to apply for approval for Public Entertainment under Ministry of Home Affairs. For more information, please click here. For more information, please contact the Ministry of Home Affairs at +673 2223225 or email at info.moha@moha.gov.bn | CHEMICALS & PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS | You may be subject to rules and regulations of Poisons Act Chap 114, Medicines Order, 2007 and Medicines (License, Standard, Provision and Fees) Regulations, 2010. Please click
here. For more information contact Bahagian Penguatkuasaan Farmasi, Jabatan Perkhidmatan Farmasi (Ministry of Health), Level 1, Department of Pharmaceutical Services Building, Kg Madaras, Mukim Gadong A at +673 2393298 / 2393230 / 2393301 (ext. 208/209) or email
pharmacy.enforcement@moh.gov.bn | | CONSTRUCTION OF BUILDINGS ACTIVITIES | You may be subject to rules and regulations of the Building Control Order 2014. You may be required to obtain the Builder's License under the purview of the Ministry of Development.
You may also be subjected to Contractor Registration requirements under ABCi (Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry). To participate in government projects, you may be required to obtain Contractor Registration Certificate under the Ministry of Development. For more information, please click
here. | EDUCATION (Primary education, secondary education, higher education, technical and vocational secondary education, tuition classes and other education) | You may be subject to rules and regulations under the purview of Education Act, Chapter 210, Ministry of Education. An educational institution shall be required to register i.e. obtain a Certificate Of Registration of Educational Institution from the Private Education Section, Ministry of Education prior to operation.
The normal procedure entails interested investor/s (company / society or association / partners / individual / others) to apply (submit letter of intent) to establish first before applying to register the institution with the Ministry of Education. Successful applicant shall receive approval letter together with the application form for registration (guidelines attached) to be completed and returned to Private Education Section for processing. The registration process involves assessment by relevant authorities overseeing use of the proposed premise i.e. buildings and land. Thus the finalisation of the registration is subject to the process duration of and approval by these agencies.
Registration of an educational institution would also require registration by the Registrar of Companies and Businesses Names (ROCBN) or Registrar of Societies. For more information, please contact or visit Private Education Section, Level 4 Block D, Ministry of Education, Old Airport Site, Berakas (Tel. no. +673 2382621 [Direct line] or 2381133 ext 4401 [Operator] or click
here.
| | EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES | You are required to obtain an Employment Agency License under the purview of the The Department of Labour, Ministry of Home Affairs. As employment agency activities is a regulated business, issuance of licenses is regulated and is subject to terms and conditions of The Department of Labour. (Note: currently issuance of employment agency licenses has been ceased and is no longer available). You are subject to rules and regulations under the purview of Employment Agencies Order, (2004).
The Department of Labour does not recognize any temporary employment agency activities. Any person(s) conducting employment agency activities must be licensed by The Department of Labour. For more information please contact the Unit Agency, The Department of Labour, Ministry of Home Affairs, Jalan Menteri Besar, BSB at +673 2383006 or email at info.buruh@buruh.gov.bn or click here. | FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE ACTIVITIES
(Monetary intermediation, financial leasing, remittance companies, money changers, insurance, life insurance, reinsurance, administration of financial markets, security and commodity contracts brokerage, fund management activities and other financial service activities)
| For any financial activities, applicant shall be subjected to rules and regulations under the Banking Order 2006; Islamic Banking Order 2008; Finance Companies Act, Chapter 89; Money Lenders Act, Chapter 62; and Pawnbrokers Order 2002 (where applicable). Applicant shall be required to obtain a license under the respective legislations which is under the purview of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD).
For any insurance activities, applicant shall be required to register under Insurance Order, 2006 to carry out an insurance business as general insurer or under Takaful Order, 2008 to carry out takaful business as general takaful operator. For registration of General Insurance/Takaful Agents, please click here. Applicant shall also be required to have qualifications approved by Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD) as a pre-requisite before the application can be approved. For more information, please click here. For money-changing and remittance activities, applicant shall be subjected to rules and regulations under the Money-Changing and Remittance Businesses Act (Chapter 174). Applicant shall be required to obtain a money-changer's license under the purview of Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD). Opening for application of new license will be subject to announcement made by AMBD through newspapers and AMBD's website. For more information, click here.
For brokerage services for securities products, applicant shall be subjected to the rules and regulations under the Securities Markets Order 2013 (SMO); and Securities Markets Regulations 2015 (SMR). A corporate must be licensed under the SMO to hold a Capital Markets Services License (CMSL) to carry on the regulated activity of dealing and arranging deals in investments as principal or agent. A license must be obtained from Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD), specifically under the Capital Market Unit. For any fund management activities shall be subjected to the rules and regulations of the Securities Markets Order 2013 (SMO); and Securities Markets Regulations 2015 (SMR). A corporate must be licensed under the SMO to hold a Capital Markets Services License (CMSL) to carry on the regulated activity of managing investments. A license must be obtained from Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam (AMBD), specifically under the Capital Market Unit. Please click here. If the business activity involves Islamic fund management activities, it shall also be subject to the Syariah Financial Supervisory Board Order, 2006 (SFSB). Please click here.
For
more information, please click here or visit Autoriti Monetari Brunei Darussalam, Level 7, Ministry of Finance
Building, Commonwealth Drive, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Negara Brunei
Darussalam or contact +673 2381367/ 2381941 or email at info@ambd.gov.bn / fci@ambd.gov.bn
| FISHERIES
(Fishing, Aquaculture & Fish Processing)
| You are subject to the rules and regulations under the Fisheries Order, 2009.
You are required to obtain licenses for these activities under the Fisheries Order, 2009.
If you intend to import/export any fish or fisheries products in/from Brunei Darussalam, you are required to apply for import/export licence from the Department of Fisheries through the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window. Please go to the Brunei Darussalam National Trade Repository website here.
For more information, please contact the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism at Simpang 287-53, Jalan Peranginan Pantai Serasa, Muara or contact +673 2770066 / 2770067 / 2770068 / 2770069 / 2770070 or email at info@fisheries.gov.bn
| FOOD AND BEVERAGE SERVICES ACTIVITIES (Restaurants, food outlets / stalls, catering services, manufacturing of food and beverages, and other food services activities) | You are required to obtain a Halal Cerification and/ or Permit Halal from Bahagian Kawalan Makanan Halal, Kementerian Hal Ehwal Ugama. For more information, please click
here. You may also be required to obtain a Food Handler's Health Certificate at the Food Safety and Quality Control Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health.
If you intend to import processed food ingredients for purposes such as processing or preservation, you are required to register with the Food Safety and Quality Control Division, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health. For more information, please click
here.
If you intend to import raw materials from fresh produce for manufacturing in Brunei Darussalam such as:
1) Crops: You will be required to obtain an import permit from the Biosecurity Division of the Agriculture and Agrifood Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and a phytosanitary certificate from the exporting countries.
2) Animal products: You will be required to submit relevant documents for desk audit and risk analysis to the Biosecurity Division of the Agriculture and Agrifood Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism. | FORESTRY (Silviculture and other forestry activities, logging, gathering of non-wood forest products, sawmilling and planing of wood, manufacturing of furniture and others)
| You are subject to the rules and regulations under the Forest Act Chapter 46 Laws of Brunei.
You may be required to obtain sub-licenses for forest workers (FORM 4) for some forestry activity.
If you intend to manufacture wooden furniture, you are subject to the rules and regulations under the Forest Act Chapter 46 Laws of Brunei.
You may also be required to obtain License to Operate Sawmill (FORM 6).
If you intend to import/export any timber or timber products in/from Brunei Darussalam, you are required to apply for import/export permit from the Forestry Department through the Brunei Darussalam National Single Window. Please go to the Brunei Darussalam National Trade Repository website here.
Clearing of forest or taking of forest produce from Reserved Forest or State land Forest may require license from the Forestry Department.
For more information, please contact the Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism at +673 2381013 / 381687 or e-mail at
info@forestry.gov.bn | HUMAN HEALTH AND RESIDENTIAL CARE ACTIVITIES
(Hospital, clinic, dental, nursing care and any medical practice and residential care activities) | You may be subject to relevant legislation under the purview of the Ministry of Health. You may be required to register to the relevant Professional Board under the purview of the Boards Management Office, Ministry of Health.
Qualified medical or dental practitioners may be subject to current enforced rules and regulations governing the ownership of medical or dental practice. You are required to be registered with Brunei Medical Board and to fulfill the prerequisites requirement for registration.
Letter of permission may be obtained from The Registrar of Brunei Medical Board through Head of Boards Management Office. For more information, please click here or visit the Boards Management Office at second floor of Ministry of Health, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, or contact +673 2380170 or email bmo.brunei@moh.gov.bn | | LEGAL ACTIVITIES | You are required to obtain certain licenses/practicing certificate from the Attorney General's Chamber. Under the provisions of the Legal Profession Act (Chapter 132), the Chief Justice can decide that the number of advocates practicing in Brunei Darussalam is sufficiently adequate to serve the needs of the community he shall by notice in the Government Gazette so declare that (a) no person other than a national of Brunei Darussalam shall be entitled to be admitted as an advocate or to obtain a provisional license under section 8; (b) the Sultan may direct that the name of any advocate on the roll who is not ordinarily resident in Brunei six months after the publication of such a declaration shall be struck from the roll.
For more information, visit The Attorney General, The Law Building Bandar Seri Begawan, BA 1910, Brunei Darussalam, or contact +673 223 1200/ 224 4872 or go to the AGC website or click here. | | MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT | In pursuant to the Environmental Protection and Management Order 2016, you may required to submit written notification to the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation.
For importation, exportation and supply of refrigerants (containing ozone depleting substance) for air conditioning system requires permit from the Department of Environment, Parks and Recreation. For more information please go to www.env.gov.bn or visit Tumasek Plaza Building, Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2111, or contact +673 2421262 | | MINING & QUARRYING | You may be required to obtain certain permits for this activity under the purview of Petroleum Mining Act, Chapter 44. Applicants may be invited to bid for a petroleum mining agreement (for onshore / offshore state land) for exploration, prospecting and/or petroleum mining purposes with such applicant conforming to all terms and conditions imposed by the State Party in the invitation to bid.
For oil and gas business opportunities, your company may register with the respective oil and gas operators for Tender and EOI opportunities. Your company must also register with EIDPMO once you have secure a contract or interest in oil and gas business activities. The purpose of this registration with EIDPMO is only for reporting purposes and this reporting will only compulsory for those companies with active contracts / Purchase Order. They are also open up a muzakarah session every Wednesday morning for all oil and gas related companies.
You may also be required to obtain certain licenses/permits to be registered as a retail petrol station company upon EOI announcement of new Retail Petrol Station opportunity. If you are looking for any Tender and EOI opportunities and for more information, please click here or at the LBD Hotline 7299111.
For more information, please visit Ministry of Energy, Manpower and Industry, at Jalan Perdana Menteri, or contact the Upstream & Downstream Division here. | | REAL ESTATE ACTIVITIES | You may be required to obtain permit from Lands Department. For more information, please go to Lands Department, Headquarter Building at Brunei & Muara District, Ministry of Development, Old Airport, Berakas BB3510, or contact +6732383182/3/4/5/6/7.
You may also require to register as Practitioner Architects/Practitioner Professional Engineers/Practitioner Quantity Surveyors with Board of Architects, Professional Engineers and Quantity Surveyors (BAPEQS) to supply Architectural/Professional Engineering/ Surveying services in Brunei Darussalam.
For more information, please click here or visit BAPEQS SECRETARIAT OFFICE, 1ST FLOOR LEVEL, WEST WING, MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT TRAINING CENTRE (MODTC), OLD AIRPORT ROAD BB3510, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, or contact +673 2381430 or email at bapeqs.sec@mod.gov.bn | | TELECOMMUNICATION & INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENTS
(Wholesale / manufacturing / retail of any telecommunication equipment, technology, broadcasting and electronic equipment and parts) | You may be required to obtain an Infrastructure Provider for the Telecommunication Industry (InTi) and/or Service Provider for the Telecommunication Industry (SeTi) License under the purview of the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry (AITI), Brunei Darussalam.
For more information on InTi License, please click here. For more information on SeTi License, please click here.
Under the Broadcasting Act (Chapter 180), you may also be required to register and/or obtain a Broadcasting License/Class License under the purview of Ministry of Communications. You may also be required to apply for Dealer's License from AITI for the possession, importation and sale of telecommunication and radio communication equipment. In addition, importation also requires Type Approval and Import Permit from AITI. For more information on Dealers' License, please click here. For more information on Station License, please click here. For more information on Type Approval, please click here.
For more information, kindly visit AITI Counter during normal working hours or email AITI at regulatory@aiti.gov.bn
| | VETERINARY ACTIVITIES | You may be subject to rules and regulations under the Veterinary Surgeons Order, 2005. Under the Order, to run a veterinary clinic, there must be a veterinary surgeon registered with the Brunei Darussalam Veterinary Council. Only Veterinary Surgeons that hold qualifications recognized by the government may be eligible for registration. The registered veterinary surgeon is also required to renew his/her certificate annually before the 30th November of the preceding year.
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If you are unsure if your business activity may require any special approvals, you may email to info.eodb@memi.gov.bn.
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