Language
Overview
The official language is Malay. English and Chinese are also spoken.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
02/01/2022 Chinese New Years Festival
02/23/2022 National holiday
02/28/2022 Israk Mikraj (Night of the Ascension)
04/03/2022 Beginning of Ramadan
05/01/2022 Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (End of Ramadan)
05/31/2022 Brunei Armed Forces Day
07/09/2022 Hari Raya Aidil Adha (Feast of Sacrifice)
07/15/2022 Birthday of His Majesty the Sultan
07/30/2022 Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
12/25/2022 Christmas
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes the festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims are prohibited from eating, drinking or smoking from sunrise to sunset, causing disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Hari Raya Aidilfitri. This festival, like the Hari Raya Aidiladha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Brunei duty-free (persons 17 and over): – 2 x 1L spirits and 12 cans of beer (non-Muslims only); – 250ml of eau de toilette and 60ml of perfume.
Import regulations
Alcoholic beverages must be declared upon entry. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Prohibited Imports
Prescription medicines and drugs of all kinds, pornographic products, guns and ammunition. The death penalty is imposed for illegal possession and sale of drugs and illegal importation of weapons.
Contact addresses
Embassy of Brunei Darussalam
(Also responsible for Austria and Switzerland.)
Kronenstrasse 55-58
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 20 60 76 00.
Mon-Thu 08.30-12.30 and 13.30-16.30, Fri 08.30-12.30 and 13.00-16.00.
Consulate General of Brunei Darussalam
Route de Pré-bois 20, ICC Cointrin
Geneva 15 Airport
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 929 82 40
Business
Business etiquette
Business trips are best scheduled between April and October (outside the monsoon season). Business language is English. Business hours: Mon-Thurs 07.45-12.15 and 13.30-16.30, Sat 09.00-12.00. Authorities: Mon-Thurs, Sat 07.45-12.15 and 13.30-16.30.
Business contacts
Brunei Darussalam International Chamber of Commerce and Industry PO Box 2285, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Tel. 673 (0)2 23 66 01. National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam PO Box 115, 144 Jalan Pemancha, BS8711, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam Tel. +673 (0)2 24 33 21.
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing. Public payphones, mostly card phones, are found in post offices and shopping malls. Telephone cards are available from post offices and the State Telecommunications Bureau.
Mobile phone
Provider is DSTCom (Internet: www.dst-group.com) (GSM 900); the reception/transmission area is limited to the urban areas, especially in the north-west.
Internet
Main provider: BruNet (Internet: www.brunet.bn). There are internet cafes.
Post office
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, most hotels have a limited postal service at the front desk. Post office opening hours: Mon-Thu 07.45-16.30. Airmail to Europe takes 2-5 days.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
