The Competition Commission of Brunei Darussalam (CCBD) recently conducted a workshop entitled “Workshop on Synergies Between Competition Policy and Public Procurement” on 31 January 2026 at the Ministry of Finance and Economy, signalling its commitment to fostering a pro-business environment by enhancing efficient market conduct and promoting overall productivity, innovation and competitiveness of markets in Brunei Darussalam.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) under the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Trade (SCOPE – Trade), and was attended by the Chairpersons and Members of CCBD and the Competition Appeal Tribunal, as well as officers and representatives from the State Tender Board, Mini Tender Boards across ministries, and other relevant government agencies.
The workshop was officially opened by the Chairman of CCBD, Yang Arif Haji Abdullah Soefri bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, who underscored the importance of public procurement as a key area of government responsibility and its close connection with competition law in safeguarding public resources. He highlighted that effective procurement practices, when aligned with competition principles, help prevent anti-competitive conduct, support open and competitive markets, and contribute to sustainable economic development.
The Chairman also noted that the workshop was timely in the context of Brunei Darussalam’s economic diversification efforts under Wawasan 2035 and the Brunei Darussalam Economic Blueprint, underscoring the importance of a whole-of-government approach and close inter-agency collaboration in advancing competition enforcement and sound public procurement practices.
Following the opening address, Ms. Ravini Gunasekera from the ITC delivered her introductory remarks outlining the objectives of the SCOPE – Trade programme and its support for strengthening competition policy and public procurement practices in ASEAN Member States, including Brunei Darussalam.
Against this backdrop, the workshop focused on how competition principles can support transparent, fair, and efficient public procurement systems, including by addressing risks such as bid rigging and collusion, while promoting value for public funds and a level playing field for suppliers.
In this regard, the workshop featured contributions from international experts in the fields of competition law and public procurement, including Mrs. Alison Jones, Professor of Law at King’s College London, and Mr. Robert Anderson, competition expert from ITC, who participated virtually. The programme also included an online session with Ms. Hara Nikolopolou, Vice-President of the Hellenic Competition Commission, who shared her authority’s experience in addressing bid-rigging in public procurement in Greece.
The organisation of the workshop forms part of CCBD’s ongoing efforts to strengthen inter agency understanding and cooperation on competition-related issues, recognising that effective competition enforcement and sound procurement frameworks require a whole-of-government
approach.
About the Competition Commission of Brunei Darussalam (CCBD)
The CCBD enforces the Competition Act (Chapter 253) in Brunei Darussalam, which prohibits anti competition agreements, abuse of a dominant position, and anti-competitive mergers that have resulted, or may be expected to result, in a substantial lessening of competition within any market in Brunei Darussalam for goods and services that are prohibited.
For more information, please visit www.ccbd.gov.bn or contact the CCBD Executive Secretariat at exec.secretariat@ccbd.gov.bn.
