A series of National Development Plans was initiated by the 28th Sultan of Brunei, Omar Ali Saifuddien III.
The plan also aided the development of public education. By 1958, expenditure on education totalled at $4 million.[53] Communications were improved, as new roads were built and reconstruction at Berakas Airport was completed in 1954.[54]
The second National Development Plan was launched in 1962.[54] A major oil and gas field was discovered in 1963, with this discovery, Liquefied Natural Gas became important. Developments in the oil and gas sector have continued, and oil production has steadily increased since then.[55] The plan also promoted the production of meat and eggs for consumption by citizens. The fishing industry increased its output by 25% throughout the course of the plan. The deepwater port at Muara was also constructed during this period. Power requirements were met, and studies were made to provide electricity to rural areas.[55] Efforts were made to eradicate malaria, an endemic disease in the region, with the help of the World Health Organisation. Malaria cases were reduced from 300 cases in 1953 to only 66 cases in 1959.[56] The death rate was reduced from 20 per thousand in 1947 to 11.3 per thousand in 1953.[56] Infectious disease has been prevented by public sanitation and improvement of drainage, and the provision of piped pure water to the population.[56]