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Recommendations
Therefore, the following are the policy recommendations for Brunei and other Southeast Asian countries:
1. To mitigate the impact of global supply chain disruptions (e.g., during pandemics or geopolitical conflicts), countries
from Southeast Asia, including Brunei, could diversify their food import sources and develop strategic food reserves,
like the buffer stock, which exists in India. Establish long-term contractual agreements with countries from which
food commodities are imported to mitigate the impact of unforeseen fluctuations in international food prices.
2. Make investment in better infrastructure, such as modernized storage facilities and transportation networks, to
ensure the efficient movement of food and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities. Invest in technologies that improve
food storage and reduce waste, which could further stabilize food prices and supply chains.
3. Regularly evaluate and adjust the Price Control Act or similar laws, which may exist for the Southeast Asian countries
to ensure that they effectively manage price volatility and protect consumers from excessive price increases,
particularly during global supply disruptions.
4. Strengthen monitoring systems to track food price movements and inflation (which includes timely data collection
and transparency), allowing for timely interventions when significant inflationary pressures emerge, especially in
CFPI.
5. Inform consumers about food price trends (like through an online app), available subsidies related programmes, and
how they can reduce costs through smart purchasing and consumption habits.
6. To reduce dependence on food imports, countries of Southeast Asia, including Brunei, could invest in enhancing
local food production, especially for staples. This could involve offering incentives, subsidies, and support for local
farmers.

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THE CHALLENGE OF FOOD INFLATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIATION IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
THE CHALLENGE OF FOOD INFLA 13