Thailand and Brunei expand investment and Islamic finance cooperation

Thailand and Brunei Darussalam have agreed to deepen economic cooperation, with a focus on investment, food security and Islamic finance, during bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the 2026 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in Bangkok.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas held talks with Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Amin Liew bin Abdullah, Brunei’s Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II, to discuss ways to strengthen long-term economic and financial links between the two countries.

GPF and BIA cooperation to be expanded

The two sides discussed building on investment cooperation between Thailand’s Government Pension Fund (GPF) and the Brunei Investment Agency (BIA).

The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding in 2024 to explore investment opportunities and potential investment partnerships in areas of mutual interest.

The latest discussions focused on how that cooperation could be developed further to create additional investment opportunities and strengthen financial connectivity between Thailand and Brunei.

The 2024 agreement covered potential cooperation in sectors including food and agriculture, consumer products, tourism, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, chemicals and sustainability-related businesses.

Food trade and supply chains in focus

Thailand and Brunei also discussed ways to strengthen the stability of agricultural and food trade between the two countries.

The aim is to support food security and maintain resilient supply chains at a time of heightened volatility in the global economy.

Greater cooperation in these areas could provide opportunities for both trade and investment while strengthening the ability of the two economies to withstand future supply disruptions.

Thailand seeks stronger Islamic finance links

Islamic finance was another focus of the bilateral talks.

The two sides discussed promoting knowledge transfer and exchanges of experience by expanding cooperation between the Islamic Bank of Thailand, or ibank, and financial institutions in Brunei.

The cooperation would seek to strengthen expertise among financial-sector personnel, develop Islamic financial products and broaden economic and investment opportunities between the two countries.

Thailand has been seeking to raise its profile in Islamic finance during the IMF–World Bank meetings, including through an affiliated programme hosted by the Islamic Bank of Thailand on the role of Islamic finance in economic resilience and transition finance.

The Thailand-Brunei talks reflect wider efforts to use the annual meetings in Bangkok to strengthen bilateral economic ties and connect Thai institutions with international sources of investment, expertise and finance.