Brunei:
Brunei is a small, rich Muslim country on the northern tip of the island of Borneo. It's ruled by a vastly wealthy sultan who lives in a $450 million palace. The living standard in Brunei is high, with free schooling, free health service and social mobility. As 80 per cent of the country is covered in rainforest, there are plans afoot to develop ecotourism, with Brunei touted as the Gateway to Borneo. Alcohol is banned, and women must wear headscarves, but not the veil. And they are allowed to hold influential positions in the civil service. Sixty-four per cent of the people are Malay, 20 per cent are Chinese. With known oil reserves for 25 years and gas reserves for 40 years, plus massive overseas investments, Brunei looks like a long-term player in the Asian economy.