Indian Community in Brunei
The discovery of oil in Brunei, in 1929, brought a significant number of Indians to the country to work in the oil sector and allied services and, later, as teachers and doctors.
Shri Mohinder Singh, an NRI, who later on became a Brunei citizen, was the first recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) 2010, in acknowledgment of his outstanding achievements in the field of community service. Mr. Nazeer Zakaria, a prominent Indian businessman in Brunei, was the second recipient of the PBSA in 2016.
Presently, there are approximately 14,000 Indians living in Brunei. More than half of the Indian expatriates are semi and unskilled workers, who work in construction, retail businesses, etc. A substantial number of the doctors in Brunei are from India. Other professionals include engineers, IT professionals, teachers etc. Indian businessmen represent a healthy share of Brunei’s textiles market.
There are five major Indian Associations, in Brunei viz. Bandar Seri Begawan Indian Association (BSBIA); Malayali Association (MA); Indian Association Belait (IAB); Sikh Association; and Telugu Association. Indian Chamber of Commerce and Brunei-India Friendship Association are also registered entities. Indian Associations celebrate Indian Festivals viz: Diwali, Pongal, Onam as well as Independence Day and Republic Day.
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October 2022.
