Brunei will remain one of the world’s last autocratic states. The sultan, Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin, has given no indication that his vague promises of partial democratisation will be fulfilled in the forecast period. The sultanate will continue to focus on attempts to move away from dependence on the energy sector. Overall GDP growth may be weak, but the key question will be the extent to which investment can be encouraged outside of the energy sector. The sultanate will continue to record large fiscal surpluses, owing to revenue from the oil and gas segments. Large current-account surpluses are also likely in 2009-10, bolstered by continued healthy surpluses on the merchandise trade account and by income inflows from investments abroad.