A number of procedures are required in setting up a company in Brunei Darussalam.

The first step is acquiring approval from the Registrar of Companies for the use of the company’s name. The Registrar of Companies may refuse registration of a proposed name if it is identical or similar to the name of an existing business registered in Brunei Darussalam or if it is likely to mislead the public.

The timeframe for approval of company name is about 1 to 2 weeks.

Upon approval of the company name, the following documents should be lodged with the Registrar of Companies within the stipulated reservation period:

• Memorandum and Articles of Association.

• Statutory declaration of compliance.

• Other prescribed documents:

  - Form X

  - Consent to Act as Directors

  - Notice of Situation of Registered Office

The incorporation process typically takes about 5 to 6 weeks to finalise before a certificate of incorporation is issued, at which time the company may commence business.

Special Licenses

In some cases special licenses must be obtained from the government before a company can commence business. This applies primarily to businesses that directly affect the public, such as banks, finance companies, insurance companies, travel agencies and money-lenders.