India and Brunei Darussalam held the third meeting of their Joint Trade Committee to review economic cooperation and identify ways to deepen commercial ties. The meeting, held in October 2026, was co-chaired by Amit Verma, Joint Secretary in the Department of Commerce at India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, Permanent Secretary for Economy and Trade in Brunei Darussalam’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Key facts
- Third meeting of the India–Brunei Darussalam Joint Trade Committee convened in October 2026
- Co-chaired by Joint Secretary Amit Verma (India) and Permanent Secretary Dr. May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin (Brunei Darussalam)
- Representatives from relevant ministries and organisations of both countries participated
- Focus areas: bilateral trade expansion, market access, and business-to-business exchanges
- Priority sectors identified: agriculture, animal products, pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy
- Next meeting scheduled to be held in Brunei Darussalam
What was discussed
The committee deliberated on expanding trade between the two nations while addressing barriers to market access. A key focus was facilitating Indian exports of agricultural and animal products to Brunei Darussalam, which both sides view as important for supporting food security in the region and broadening the trade basket between the countries.
Pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy emerged as priority sectors for deeper engagement. On the healthcare front, both governments explored opportunities for regulatory collaboration, procurement cooperation and sharing of healthcare services. They recognised the potential for Indian pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers to expand their presence in Brunei Darussalam’s market.
Energy cooperation was discussed across both traditional and emerging energy sources. Both sides agreed that sustained energy partnerships would help support industrial growth in their respective economies.
Strengthening people-to-people ties and investment
The committee recognised that tourism, trade fairs and business exhibitions can strengthen cultural and commercial connections between the two nations. Both sides expressed interest in organising targeted trade promotion events and reciprocal business delegations to identify investment opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and services sectors.
Implementation and follow-up
India and Brunei Darussalam committed to maintaining regular communication between their relevant government agencies and working groups. These channels will monitor progress on follow-up actions and help advance the trade and investment objectives discussed at the meeting. This institutional mechanism ensures that commitments made at the committee level translate into concrete commercial outcomes.
What this means for you
For Indian exporters in agriculture, animal products, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, this dialogue creates a formal pathway to expand market access in Brunei Darussalam. Farmers and agribusiness companies may find new opportunities to export produce to this Southeast Asian market. Indian pharmaceutical and healthcare companies can explore regulatory pathways and procurement contracts with Brunei’s healthcare system. Energy sector companies involved in renewable and traditional energy may identify partnership opportunities in Brunei’s market.
Professionals in tourism, manufacturing and services sectors may benefit from increased business delegations and trade promotion activities planned between the two countries. This committee structure also signals India’s commitment to deepening economic ties with Southeast Asian nations beyond traditional geopolitical engagement.
What happens next
The next meeting of the India–Brunei Darussalam Joint Trade Committee will be held in Brunei Darussalam. Working groups in both countries will continue monitoring implementation of agreements reached during this meeting and prepare ground for the next formal dialogue.