ASIAN CULTURE AND BUSINESS STUDIES

BRUNEI
NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
 Key takeaways:

Today's National Flag

Agenda Facts and Statistics

Languages

Religions

Holidays & Festivals

Traditional Costume

Society and Culture

Business Ettiquete

Do's and Dont's

National Flag

The sultan of Brunei

Brunei’s chief ministers

Brunei’s chief ministers

The umbrella symbolizes the

monarchy.
The hands symbolize the
benevolence of the government.
 Location
Southeastern Asia,
bordering the South China Sea
and Malaysia

Land Area
5,765
Square Kilometres
 Location
Southeastern Asia,
bordering the South China Sea
and Malaysia

Land Area
5,765
Square Kilometres
 Capital City
Bandar Seri Begawan
Bandar Seri
Begawan
Brunei's District
Brunei and Muara

Belait

Tutong

Temburong
 Population

437,479 (2020)
 GDP PER CAPITA
OF ASIA'S COUNTRIES (2020)

Data source: United Nations Statistics Division, 2020

Currency

1 Brunei dollar

24.63 Baht
Brunei dollar (BND)
 Ethnic Make-up
Other
19.1%

Indigenous
3.4%

Chinese
11.2%

Malay
66.3%
 Languages
The official language is Malay with English
as a major second language.

Religions
Muslim (official) 67%, Buddhist 13%, Christian 10%,
other (includes indigenous beliefs) 10%
Holidays & Festivals

Chinese New Year National Day

Armed Forces Day Sultan’s Birthday

FOOD & AMBUYAT
DESSERT

The cuisine in Brunei is an BEEF RENDANG

amalgamation of all the
delicious spices, produce,
and agriculture native to the
larger region.
NASI LEMAK
The flavor profile is bright,
spicy, sweet, and extremely
varied in texture.

AIR BATU CAMPUR

Traditional Costume

Songkok Dastar

Sinjang
 The Family
The family is the focal
point of the social
structure. The Bruneian
family is the extended
family and includes
aunts, uncles, and
cousins as well as close
friends.
 ncept of face
The co

a s im p a tie nc e,
e m o tion s s u ch
Bru n e ia ns fin d th e m
Most in g a n d try to av o id
tio n e m ba rra s s
anger, or irrita ss o f fa c e a nd
uld r es ult in a lo
re ss in g th em co
since exp
disharmony.
 Greeting
Ethnic Malay men shake
hands with one another, but
men and women do not
traditionally shake hands.
Younger Bruneians may
shake hands with foreign
women or they may merely
bow their head in greeting.
Exchanging business cards

Present the card with

both hands or with the
right hand and the left
hand supporting the
right hand.
Give a business card to
each person you meet.
Examine any business
card you receive before
putting it in your
business card case.
 Names
"bin"
(son of)
"binti"
(daughter of)

Most Bruneians are normally called by their first

name and will often use the first name of a western
visitor even on a first meeting, e.g. David Morgan may
be addressed as Mr David.
Meeting
Advise Bruneian counterparts in advance of
What to do? who will be attending the meeting.
The most senior person on your team to
enter the room first.
The most senior person from each side sit
opposite each other at the table.
Have a small talk to be more comfortable.
Avoid communicating anything directly that
would hurt another
Be careful of silences and body language
 Communication Style

Bruneian communication is formal and respectful, especially to those senior in

age or position.

The communication style tends to be indirect and somewhat ambiguous.

Bruneians commonly ask what would be considered intrusive personal

questions such as about wages or the like.

Tone of voice, body language, eye contact and facial expression can often be
more important than what is actually said.
Gift giving

It is not common
to give gifts in a
business setting
as they are
generally seen as
bribes.
 Gift giving
Appropriate Gifts Gifts to Avoid
 Dining Etiquette

When you are finished eating, place your fork

Do not eat with the left hand facing downward on your plate with your spoon,
also facing downward, crossed over the fork.
 Do's in Brunei

Point with the thumb of your right hand with the four fingers folded beneath it.
 Do's in Brunei

Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large
 Do's in Brunei

It is polite to accept even just a little food and drink when offered.
When refusing anything offered, it is polite to touch the plate lightly
with the right hand.
 Don'ts in Brunei
Don't mock Brunei's local norms, customs, culture, and tradition. It's a form
of respect for the locals.

Don't wear too showy clothes, especially when you are going to mosques.
It's better to dress decently whenever you are unless you are going to the
beach.

Don't pass in front of someone who is praying in a mosque.

Don't use your left hand to pass objects.

 Don'ts in Brunei

Don't offer food to Muslims from sunrise to sundown during Ramadan.

Don't sell alcohol in Brunei.

Don't take a photo with its flash turned on so you can avoid disturbing
those who are praying in Mosques.

Taking a picture within this holy place is perfectly fine in Brunei but be
careful as well.
THANK YOU
Nakhorn Thanonkaew 61018615
Pitchaphorn Nueangnun 61039598
Ploykanya Thammalaksamee 61039618