Answers to Oral Question PL067

QUESTION

Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA INDERA PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI SUYOI BIN HAJI OSMAN asked the MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS to state the extent of the Ministry’s efforts and controls in curbing the increasing number of foreign nationals owning grocery shops, hardware stores and wholesale businesses.

ANSWER

Yang Berhormat Menteri Hal Ehwal Dalam Negeri

Based on the data from the 2024 Employer and Employee Census conducted by the Labour Department, the majority of company ownership in the retail trade sector remains among citizens of Brunei Darussalam.

As at 1 April 2024, there were 1,343 retail trade companies owned by citizens of Brunei Darussalam, while only a small number were registered with partners who were foreign nationals. Subsequently, as at 1 April 2025, the number of companies registered in the retail trade sector stood at 1,357.

To provide a clearer picture, the Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles sector encompasses activities involving the sale of goods without undergoing any production process or changes to the form of the goods, in addition to the maintenance and repair services of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

In general, this sector is divided into three main activities:

• wholesale trade;
• retail trade; and
• the sale and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

For example, the retail sale of hardware, paint and glass in specialised stores is classified under retail trade activities within this sector.

Based on the Employer and Employee Census statistics for the period from 2022 to 2024, the total number of workers in this sector increased from 25,332 in 2022 to 29,119 in 2024, representing an increase of 13 per cent.

In terms of workforce composition, the number of local workers increased from 11,941 to 12,917, while the number of foreign workers increased from 13,391 to 16,202 during the same period.

When broken down by activity:

• retail trade was the largest contributor to the workforce, increasing from 13,373 workers in 2022 to 15,402 workers in 2024;
• followed by wholesale trade, which increased from 7,005 to 7,789 workers; and
• the repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, which increased from 4,954 to 5,928 workers.

In terms of occupations, the majority of local workers in this sector were concentrated in positions such as Managers, Salespersons, Cashiers and Shop Assistants.

In contrast, foreign workers were more concentrated in positions such as Labourers, Mechanics, Shop Assistants and Lorry Drivers.

For specific activities such as the retail sale of hardware, paint and glass in specialised stores, the number of workers also showed a small increase, from 843 in 2022 to 874 in 2024, an increase of 31 workers.

In terms of controls on the recruitment of foreign workers in the country, the Labour Department requires every company wishing to recruit foreign workers to first obtain a confirmation letter (clearance letter) from the Brunei Employment Centre before its application for a Foreign Workers Licence is considered.

This measure is intended to ensure that employment opportunities are prioritised for local jobseekers before the recruitment of foreign workers is permitted.

In addition, the Ministry also conducts continuous monitoring through the collection and analysis of economic sector data, including the Employer and Employee Census, to assess trends in business ownership as well as the composition of local and foreign workers in specific sectors.

Overall, the increase in the number of foreign workers in the wholesale and retail trade as well as motor vehicle and motorcycle repair sector is in line with the growth of business activities, which has subsequently increased the demand for workers, particularly for support positions and basic occupations required to support the smooth operation of businesses.

Nevertheless, the data shows that business ownership in this sector remains predominantly held by citizens of Brunei Darussalam, while foreign workers are more concentrated in operational and basic positions to support these business activities.

Overall, the Government will continue to ensure that the development of the retail trade sector is carried out in an orderly and controlled manner and in compliance with regulations, while ensuring that entrepreneurial opportunities continue to benefit the people and local residents. This approach is in line with the third goal under the aspirations of Wawasan Brunei 2035, namely a dynamic and resilient economy.