NEW DELHI, October 15: India and Brunei Darussalam have reviewed ways to widen trade, improve market access and strengthen business contacts at the third meeting of their Joint Trade Committee, the Commerce Ministry said in an October 14 statement.
What was discussed
The meeting was co-chaired by Amit Verma, Joint Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, and Dr May Fa’ezah Ahmad Ariffin, Brunei’s Permanent Secretary for Economy and Trade.
The agenda included facilitating Indian agricultural and animal-product exports to Brunei. Pharmaceuticals, healthcare and energy were identified as priority areas. Officials also discussed regulatory cooperation, procurement opportunities and healthcare services.
Business links and follow-up
The two sides discussed tourism, trade fairs, business delegations and investment opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure and services. They agreed to use nodal agencies and working groups for follow-up and regular communication.
The next committee meeting will be held in Brunei Darussalam. The statement did not announce a date or a completed free-trade agreement.
What businesses should watch
A committee discussion is an early step in trade facilitation. For an exporter, the useful next development would be a published change in product approvals, certification procedures or market-access requirements.
Companies should distinguish a cooperation agenda from an enforceable concession. A reference to procurement opportunities does not mean a contract has been awarded, and a discussion of agricultural access does not establish that every product can already enter the market.
Follow-up notices from the relevant authorities will therefore matter more for individual shipments than the broad language of the meeting alone.
Sources and image credit
Official source (checked October 15, 2026).
Officials at the third India–Brunei Joint Trade Committee meeting. Photo: Department of Commerce, Government of India / PIB, October 2026. Reproduced under PIB’s copyright policy; no endorsement implied. Photo source · Image reuse terms
The Business Desk covers markets, the economy, companies and personal finance. Stories are checked against at least two credible sources before publication.
