BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Brunei's headline inflation has been declining since 2023 and turned negative in 2024, reflecting lower prices in transport, communication, clothing, and footwear, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has said.
According to AMRO's report on Wednesday, it expected headline inflation to stay subdued, averaging below 1 percent in 2025-26, driven by lower food and energy costs.
The report said Brunei's external position remains robust, supported by a sizable current account surplus and ample reserves.
However, the surplus is projected to decline to 11.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2025, from 14.6 percent in 2024, largely due to the softening of global energy prices.
Continued demand for imported services, particularly in transport and travel, is expected to widen the services account deficit, contributing to the moderation of the current account surplus. ■
