AGP Executive Report

Energy & Trade: India boosted Russian crude imports in May, with New Mangalore up 13% and Visakhapatnam up 42%, as refiners chase discounted supplies despite sanctions pressure; CREA also put China as the top buyer at 50% of Russia’s exports, with India second at 36%. Transport Costs: Australia’s transport industry faces a “long tail” as fuel excise relief ends June 30, with calls for continued support to protect grocery prices. Renewables & Power Integration: Brunei-linked regional energy talks echo momentum for cross-border grids, while Sarawak leaders push a unified Asean Power Grid framework and position the state as a green “battery” via hydropower. Brunei Solar Procurement: Brunei’s Department of Energy has tendered five grid-connected solar installations for government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance. Food & Local Business: Brunei is inviting more partners to join the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) to rescue food, cut waste and support ESG goals. Consumer & Mobility: Mazda’s Brunei roadshow at The Mall Gadong runs 10–14 June with test-drive rewards and service packages. ASEAN Industry Links: ASEAN diplomats visited Bangladesh’s BSEZ, touring manufacturing and export-oriented production sites and discussing wider investment cooperation.

Renewables Procurement: Brunei’s Department of Energy has put out a tender for five grid-connected solar installations at five government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with bids due June 23. Energy Transition: The tender comes as Brunei reports 6 MW cumulative solar capacity by end-2025 and targets 30% renewables in its electricity mix by 2035, with a 25-year solar power purchase agreement already in place. Regional Industry Links: ASEAN diplomats visited Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), touring manufacturing sites including Singer Bangladesh and a Japanese hair wig producer, and discussed expanding investment and industrial cooperation. Food Systems & Waste: Malaysia’s government is inviting more firms and NGOs to join the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative, positioning food rescue as an ESG-aligned way to cut waste and support vulnerable communities. Solar vs Gas in Asia: New analysis says solar has overtaken gas in Asia’s electricity generation for the first time, driven by rapid output growth in China, India and Pakistan. Education Workforce Development: Sarawak’s Premier says mission schools remain key to building a skilled workforce, with RM120 million approved this year under SDAF for mission schools and non-Muslim places of worship.

Renewables Push in Brunei: Brunei’s Department of Energy has opened a tender for five grid-connected solar installations on rooftops and carports at government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with bids due June 23 and a BND 1,000 fee; the country targets 30% renewables in its electricity mix by 2035. ASEAN Industrial Links: An ASEAN Dhaka Committee delegation, including Brunei, visited Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ) to explore expanding investment and industrial cooperation after touring manufacturing sites such as Singer Bangladesh and a Japanese-invested export hair wig producer. Cybersecurity for ASEAN: Fortinet launched a Singapore-based FortiNDR Cloud PoP to bring network detection and response closer to customers across ASEAN as cloud and hybrid adoption grows. Underwater Security Pact: Brunei joined a new 17-nation initiative launched in Singapore to protect critical underwater infrastructure, aiming to develop shared principles for building, maintaining and defending energy and telecom links. Food Rescue Expansion: Malaysia’s government invited more firms and NGOs to join the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative, positioning it as an ESG-friendly way to cut food waste and support vulnerable communities.

Renewables & Power: Asia’s solar output has overtaken gas for the first time, with solar generating about 1,727 TWh in the year to April 2026 as gas growth stalls amid supply disruptions and higher prices. Energy Security: Australia’s fuel crisis is easing slightly as new diesel and jet fuel shipments arrive, but officials warn shortages and higher prices could linger into 2H 2026. Brunei Solar Pipeline: Brunei’s Department of Energy has tendered five grid-connected solar installations at government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with applications due June 23. Trade & Investment: ASEAN diplomats visited Bangladesh’s BSEZ, touring manufacturing and discussing incentives, infrastructure and deeper industrial cooperation. Cyber Resilience: Fortinet launched a Singapore cloud PoP to improve network detection and response across ASEAN as cloud adoption accelerates. Underwater Connectivity: A 17-nation GUIDE initiative was launched in Singapore to protect critical underwater energy and telecom infrastructure, including Brunei. Regional Diplomacy: APEC’s China studies forum opened in Guangzhou with Brunei among 16 economies discussing shared future priorities.

ASEAN Investment Push: An 18-member ASEAN Dhaka Committee delegation visited Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), touring manufacturing sites including Singer Bangladesh and a Japanese hair-wig exporter, and discussing incentives, infrastructure and ways to deepen regional industrial cooperation. Brunei Solar Procurement: Brunei’s Department of Energy has issued a tender for five grid-connected rooftop and carport solar installations at government buildings in Muara, with bids due June 23. Regional Energy Security Talks: Australia’s Trade and Investment Ministers met in Melbourne for the sixth Ministerial Council meeting, stressing open, rules-based trade and fuel resilience measures amid Middle East-driven supply-chain disruption. Fuel Supply Watch: Australia’s fuel crisis is easing slightly as new shipments arrive and retail stock-outs fall, but experts warn risks could persist into the second half of 2026. Undersea Security Cooperation: Seventeen countries launched GUIDE in Singapore to protect critical underwater telecoms and energy infrastructure, with Brunei among the Southeast Asian participants. Food Rescue Expansion: Brunei-linked regional efforts to cut food waste and support vulnerable groups gained momentum as governments invite more partners into food bank programmes.

Renewables Procurement: Brunei’s Department of Energy has issued a tender for five grid-connected solar installations at five northeastern Muara government buildings, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with bids due June 23 after document collection ends June 9. Digital & Industry Resilience: Brunei is also among 17 countries backing a new undersea security cooperation framework, “GUIDE”, aimed at protecting critical subsea telecoms and energy cables through shared principles and early-warning exchanges. Food Systems & ESG: Government is inviting more firms and NGOs to join the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative, positioning food rescue as an ESG-aligned way to cut waste and support vulnerable communities. Conservation & Monitoring: A conservation project using bioacoustics is building “soundscape baselines” for intact forests, with Brunei included among pilot sites—an approach meant to catch biodiversity loss that satellites can miss. Regional Energy Context: Australia’s fuel crisis shows modest improvement as imports arrive, but risks remain tied to Middle East disruptions—relevant for regional energy planning and supply security.

Cybersecurity & Industry Resilience: Fortinet rolled out a Singapore-based FortiNDR cloud PoP to boost network detection and response for customers across ASEAN, aiming to cut alert overload and improve visibility across hybrid and cloud environments. Energy & Renewables (Brunei): Brunei’s Department of Energy opened tenders for five grid-connected solar rooftop/carport systems at government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with applications due June 23. Food Security & Business Partnerships: Brunei and the wider region are pushing food-system resilience—Malaysia’s i-FB food bank plan is inviting more corporate and NGO partners to support food rescue, cut waste and meet ESG goals. Regional Infrastructure Security: Seventeen countries, including Brunei, launched GUIDE in Singapore to strengthen cooperation on protecting critical underwater energy and telecom cables. Governance & Succession (Brunei): Brunei’s Sultan announced a cabinet reshuffle, appointing two younger sons as ministers and creating new roles to improve policy coordination. Regional Trade & Connectivity: A Guangzhou–Kuching direct flight is drawing attention for its tourism and business potential, with demand cited as strong since March. Conservation Tech: A Soundscape Baselines Project is using bioacoustics to track whether forest ecosystems remain intact, including pilot sites in Brunei.

Brunei Energy & Renewables: Brunei’s Department of Energy has opened a tender for five grid-connected rooftop and carport solar projects at government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with applications due June 23. Brunei Governance: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major Cabinet reshuffle, creating new portfolios and appointing two younger sons as ministers, with the changes seen as part of succession planning and policy coordination for Wawasan 2035. Regional Undersea Security: Brunei joined a 17-nation initiative launched in Singapore to protect critical underwater cables and energy links, aiming to share principles and best practices for underwater infrastructure defence. Food & Community Support: Government is inviting more firms and NGOs to partner with the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) food rescue plan, positioning it as an ESG-backed way to cut food waste and aid vulnerable groups. Industry Finance: Allianz Global Investors is in exclusive talks to buy UOB Asset Management, a deal that could value the unit at up to S$600m, with Brunei among UOB’s regional footprint. Energy Supply Watch: With US-Iran tensions raising fears for the Strait of Hormuz, reporting notes how Asian refineries have kept fuel flowing to Australia despite earlier “fuel supply cliff” warnings. Conservation Tech: A new bioacoustics effort is building sound baselines for intact forests, including pilot work in Brunei, to better track biodiversity changes beyond what satellites can show.

Energy & Shipping: With US-Iran tensions keeping the Strait of Hormuz in focus, a new report says Australia’s fuel supply fears have eased as Asian refineries rerouted crude from wider sources, keeping petrol and diesel flowing. Renewables in Brunei: Brunei’s Department of Energy has opened tenders for five grid-connected solar projects at government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with applications due June 23. Brunei Governance: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major cabinet reshuffle, creating new portfolios and appointing two younger sons as ministers, signalling possible succession planning amid energy-crisis pressure. Undersea Security: Seventeen countries including Brunei launched a new GUIDE framework in Singapore to protect critical underwater telecoms and energy infrastructure, aiming to share best practices and improve incident response. Regional Connectivity: Sarawak’s Guangzhou–Kuching direct flight is drawing demand for China links, while Sarawak leaders push bilateral power deals as a practical model for an ASEAN Power Grid. Food & Industry Support: Brunei-linked regional efforts also include calls to expand food rescue partnerships and strengthen agri storage financing models to cut post-harvest losses.

Renewables & Energy Procurement: Brunei’s Department of Energy has opened a tender for five grid-connected rooftop and carport solar installations at government buildings in Muara, covering design, build, operation and maintenance, with bids due June 23. Digital Economy Delivery: Brunei’s Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications held a “Digital Brunei 2030” dialogue to turn the national digital roadmap into measurable, citizen-focused outcomes under Vision 2035. Food & Business Partnerships: Brunei is set to host its 33rd Consumer Fair & Trade Expo (June 24–28), with a business matchmaking programme and MSME-focused pavilion to spur trade links. Regional Connectivity & Trade: Sarawak’s Guangzhou–Kuching direct flight is drawing strong demand, while Sarawak leaders push cross-border power and next-gen energy ideas that could shape wider ASEAN energy cooperation. Undersea Security: Seventeen countries, including Brunei, launched a voluntary framework to strengthen protection and exchanges for critical underwater cables and energy links. Industry & Services: Brunei’s wider push for industry-ready financing and infrastructure planning continues to echo across the region, from agri-storage models to logistics and digital upgrades.

Brunei Governance: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major cabinet reshuffle, creating new portfolios and appointing two younger sons as ministers—an apparent succession-planning move as Brunei navigates energy-market pressure linked to the US-Israel war on Iran. Digital Brunei 2030: The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications held a dialogue to turn the Digital Brunei 2030 plan into measurable actions, building on connectivity, digital payments and national digital identity. Food Security & ESG: Government is inviting more firms and NGOs to join the Ihsan Food Bank (i-FB) initiative as strategic partners, positioning food rescue as an ESG-aligned way to cut waste and support vulnerable communities. Undersea Connectivity Security: Brunei is among 17 countries backing a new GUIDE framework to protect critical underwater telecom and energy infrastructure, aiming for shared principles and better incident response. Agri-Storage Financing (Regional): While focused on Pakistan, a new PKR 7.1bn agri-storage financing facility—partnering with PBICL—highlights how private capital and de-risking tools can expand warehousing and cold storage. Blue Economy Spotlight: Ocean Week Brunei 2026 was launched with a focus on the blue economy and a sustainable ocean future.

Brunei Cabinet Shake-Up: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major reshuffle on June 4, creating new coordinating roles and restructuring the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, while appointing Prince Abdul Malik to the Prime Minister’s Office and Prince Abdul Mateen as Foreign Minister—moves widely seen as succession planning amid energy-market pressure. Digital Brunei 2030: Brunei’s Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications held a national dialogue to turn the Digital Brunei 2030 plan into measurable actions, building on connectivity, digital payments and national digital identity. Undersea Security for Industry: Brunei joined a 17-nation initiative launched in Singapore to protect critical underwater cables and energy links, aiming for shared principles and better incident response—important for telecoms, logistics and energy continuity. Consumer & Trade Push: Brunei’s CFTE33 is set for June 24–28 at the ICC, with business matchmaking and MSME-focused pavilions to spur trade links. Agri-Storage Financing Model: While in Pakistan, a new agri-storage portfolio financing facility—backed by PBICL—highlights a financing approach Brunei’s agri sector may watch for reducing post-harvest losses.

Brunei Governance & Succession: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major cabinet reshuffle on June 4, appointing Prince Abdul Malik as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Prince Abdul Mateen as Foreign Minister, alongside new coordinating minister roles and a restructuring that renames the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism into the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry—moves widely seen as succession planning and a push to accelerate priority sectors under Wawasan 2035. Digital Economy: The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications convened the Digital Brunei 2030 dialogue session to turn the national digital blueprint into measurable, citizen-centric actions, building on connectivity, digital payments and national digital identity. Consumer & Trade Growth: Brunei’s CFTE33 Consumer Fair & Trade Expo is set for June 24–28 at the International Convention Centre, featuring local MSMEs and international pavilions plus business matchmaking for buyers and exhibitors. Regional Industry Linkages (Film & Creative Trade): China’s box office hit “Dear You” is rolling out internationally from June 18, with Brunei among the first wave of markets—another signal of Brunei’s growing participation in regional creative industry flows. Undersea Security Cooperation: Brunei is among 17 countries launching the GUIDE framework to safeguard critical underwater telecom and energy cables, supporting early warning and better incident response.

Brunei Industry & Policy: Brunei’s Sultan announced a major Cabinet reshuffle on June 4, creating new portfolios and appointing two younger sons as ministers—Prince Abdul Malik to the Prime Minister’s Office and Prince Abdul Mateen as foreign minister—while the Sultan keeps key roles in prime minister, defence and finance. Digital & Trade Enablement: Brunei convened the Digital Brunei 2030 dialogue session to turn its national digital roadmap into measurable, citizen-focused actions, building on connectivity, digital payments and national digital identity. Consumer & MSME Push: Brunei’s 33rd Consumer Fair & Trade Expo (CFTE33) runs June 24–28 at the International Convention Centre, with business matchmaking and special pavilions for local MSMEs and international exhibitors. Agri Storage Finance (Regionally Relevant): Pakistan launched a PKR 7.1bn agri-storage portfolio financing facility to expand warehousing, silos and cold storage using private capital—an approach Brunei industry players may watch for similar financing models. Blue Economy Spotlight: Ocean Week Brunei 2026 was launched, positioning marine conservation and blue economy opportunities as a month-long platform for partnerships across government, industry and academia.

Brunei Governance & Succession: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major cabinet reshuffle, creating new portfolios and appointing his sons as ministers—Prince Abdul Malik to the Prime Minister’s Office and Prince Abdul Mateen as foreign minister—signalling possible succession planning as Brunei navigates energy-market pressure. Digital Economy: Brunei convened a national dialogue to advance “Digital Brunei 2030,” aiming to turn the digital blueprint into measurable, citizen-centred outcomes across government, business and daily services. Trade & Consumer Growth: Brunei’s 33rd Consumer Fair & Trade Expo (CFTE33) is set for June 24–28, with business matchmaking and MSME, Thailand and India pavilions. Blue Economy: Ocean Week Brunei 2026 was launched, spotlighting blue economy opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotech, eco-tourism and conservation. Regional Undersea Security: Seventeen nations, including Brunei, launched GUIDE to protect submarine telecoms and energy cables, enabling voluntary information sharing for early warning and response. Agri Storage Finance (Regional): Pakistan launched a PKR 7.1bn agri-storage financing facility using private capital—an approach that may interest Brunei’s agri and infrastructure stakeholders. Energy Investment (Regional): Petronas signalled RM50–60bn annual upstream investment to sustain long-term production, with Sabah remaining central to energy security. AI & Training (Regional): Progresif highlighted Brunei’s shared telco network model at ATxEnterprise 2026, focusing competition on digital services and enterprise use cases. Film & Media (Regional): China’s “Dear You” begins international theatrical rollout from June 18, including Singapore and Brunei.

Brunei Governance & Succession: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced a major cabinet reshuffle, creating new portfolios and appointing Prince Abdul Malik as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Prince Abdul Mateen as foreign minister—moves widely read as potential succession planning. Digital Economy: Brunei convened a national dialogue for Digital Brunei 2030, shifting from setting direction to delivering measurable outcomes across government, business and citizens. Consumer & Trade: Brunei’s 33rd Consumer Fair & Trade Expo (CFTE33) is set for June 24–28 at the ICC, with business matchmaking and MSME, Thailand and India pavilions. Industry & Connectivity: Brunei is among 17 nations launching GUIDE, a voluntary framework to share best practices and strengthen protection of critical underwater telecom and energy cables. Blue Economy: Ocean Week Brunei 2026 kicked off, spotlighting sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, marine biotechnology, eco-tourism and blue-economy opportunities. Regional Trade Links: Sarawak plans cross-border development studies in Eastern Europe to boost logistics, e-commerce and tourism in border regions like Limbang and Lawas.