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Jurisdictions Centre

 



Brunei IBC Offshore Company Information

Brunei Offshore Company Overview

» Key Corporate Features
» Brunei General Information
» Brunei Company Information
» Brunei Compliance

» Information Downloads

 Key Corporate Features


General
Type of entity: IBC
Type of law: Common
Shelf company availability: Yes
Our time to establish a new company: 5 Days
Minimum government fees (excluding taxation): US$400
Corporate taxation: No
Double taxation treaty access: No
Share capital or equivalent
Standard currency: US$
Permitted currencies: Any (Except for Brunei Currency)
Minimum paid up: US$1
Usual authorised: US$1,000,000
Directors or Managers
Minimum number: One
Local required: No
Corporate Directors Allowed: Yes
Publicly accessible records: No
Location of meetings: Anywhere
Members
Minimum number: One
Publicly accessible records: No
Location of meetings: Anywhere
Company Secretary
Required: Yes
Local or qualified: Local (an officer of registered agent)
Accounts
Requirement to prepare: Yes (if director considers necessary)
Audit requirements: Optional
Requirement to file accounts: No (any accounts prepared shall be filed at the registered office)
Publicly accessible accounts: No
Other
Requirement to file annual return: Yes
Change in domicile permitted: Yes

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Brunei General Information

The Islamic Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam is situated on the northwest coast of the island of Borneo and on the coastline of the South China Sea with its boundary attached to the Malaysian State of Sarawak. The total land area is about 5,700 sq km and the capital is Bandar Seri Begawan. The climate is equatorial with temperature around 23-32 Degrees Celsius.

Islam is the Official religion of Brunei Darussalam and plays a central role in the life of every Muslim in Brunei Darussalam. Other religions include Christianity and Buddhism.

» Population

The population of Brunei was estimated to be about 357,000 in 2004, the communities include mainly Malay, Tutong, Murut with a minority of Chinese and other races.

» Political Structure

From the 14th to the 16th centuries Brunei Darussalam was the seat of a powerful sultanate extending over Sabah, Sarawak and the lower Philippines. By the 19 th Century, the Brunei Darussalam Empire had been whittled away by wars, piracy and the colonial expansion of European powers. In 1888 it became a British protectorate. Britain retained responsibility for the state’s defence and foreign affairs until 1984, when the sultanate became fully independent.

Brunei Darussalam’s political system is based on the country’s written Constitution and the tradition of the Malay Islamic Monarchy. Supreme executive authority vests with His Majesty the Sultan. The Prime Minister, who must be a Brunei Malay professing the Muslim religion belonging to the Shafeite sect, remains with The Sultan. The Ministers, including the Prime Minister, are appointed by The Sultan to hold office at the pleasure of His Majesty. Today they constitute the Council of Cabinet Ministers presided over by His Majesty the Sultan.

» Infrastructure and Economy

The travelling time is between 1.5 hours and 3 hours from major Asian financial centers such as Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpar, Manila, Shanghai and Singapore to Brunei Darussalam. There are also direct international flights to other locations in Australia, Europe, Middle East and New Zealand.

Brunei is the third largest oil producer in the Southeast Asia and the fourth largest producer of liquefied natural gas in the world. The economy is heavily dependent on revenues from crude oil and natural gas. The Government is one of the most prosperous in the Malaysian area and is highly dependent on the tourist industry which generates about 21% of the national income. Other primary resources include rice production, fruit farming, forestry and fisheries.

» Language

The official language is Malay. Other languages use include English and Chinese.

» Currency
Brunei Dollar.
» Exchange Control

None.

» Type of Law

The legal and administrative systems are based on English Common Law and for Muslims, Islamic Shari'a law supersedes civil law in a number of areas.


» Principal Corporate Legislation

  • International Business Companies Order, 2000.
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Brunei Company Information
» Type of Company For International Trade and Investment
International Business Company


» Procedure to Incorporate
Submission of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and a Certificate from the Registered Agent confirming compliance with the requirements of the Order.

» Restrictions on Trading
Cannot trade or own real estate within Brunei Darussalam. Cannot undertake banking, insurance, investment advice or management of mutual fund businesses unless licensed to do so under appropriate Orders. Cannot invite investments from public unless the Registrar has given prior written consent.
» Powers of Company

An IBC has the power to perform all acts and engage in all activities necessary to the attainment of the objects of IBC subject to provisions in the Order.

» Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents

English.

» Shelf Companies Available

Yes.

» Time to Incorporate

Five days.

» Language of Name

English. Other languages can be expressed next to the English name accompanied by a certified translation to the Registrar.

» Registered Office Required

Yes, must be maintained in Brunei Darussalam by its registered agent.

» Names Requiring Consent or Licence

Any name that is identical or similar to an existing company, or any name that suggests the patronage of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan or that of a member of the Royal Family, the Government or local authority of Brunei Darussalam or other country. The word “ Brunei” shall only be used appearing in brackets.

Names containing the words – Royal, Bank, Building Society, Insurance, Assurance, Trust Company, Trustee Company, Chamber of Commerce, Chartered, Cooperative, Imperial, Municipal or a word conveying a similar meaning.

» Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability

Limited, Corporation, Incorporated, Société Anonyme, Sociedad Anónima, Berhad, Sendirian Berhad, Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung or their relevant abbreviations.

» Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities

No.

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Compliance
» Authorised and Issued Share Capital

The normal authorised share capital is US$ 1,000,000 with all of the shares having a par value. There is no additional fee if a large authorised share capital is adopted. The minimum issued capital is one share.

» Classes of Shares Permitted

Registered shares, preference shares, redeemable shares and shares with or without voting rights.

» Taxation

An IBC does not pay income tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty or other direct tax .

» Double Taxation Agreements

Brunei Darussalam has a double tax treaty with Indonesia and a limited treaty with the United Kingdom, however tax credits apply to resident companies only. An IBC will not qualify for tax benefits under these treaties.

» Licence Fees

First year fee US$ 500 and thereafter US$ 400 per year.

» Financial Statement Requirements

Whilst there is no requirement to file audited accounts with the authorities, a company should maintain such accounts and records as the directors consider necessary or desirable to reflect the financial position of a company. The accounts of a company shall be kept at its registered office in Brunei and shall at all times be opened to inspection by any director.

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Information Downloads

  Word  PDF 
 Brunei Fact Sheet 123KB  92KB 
 Brunei Chinese Simplified 123KB  307KB 
 Brunei Chinese Traditional 123KB  333KB 
 Enquiry Form 105KB  66KB 
 Shelf List 71KB   
 Order Forms 314KB  196KB 
  Excel   
 Comparison Chart 114KB   

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Disclaimer

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the details contained herein are correct and up-to-date, it does not constitute legal or other professional advice. GTA Worldwide does not accept any responsibility, legal or otherwise, for any errors or omission.

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