Magazine

Read the latest edition of AIR and MEIR as an Interactive e-book

Apr 2022

Market Profile


Saudi Arabia

Regulation in high gear

As the kingdom’s economy accelerates towards more growth and financial sophistication, the insurance regulator has a full agenda in preparing the sector for more competition and more integrated services. We look at some of SAMA’s more significant insurance initiatives over the past year.
 

Buy Now


Life growth accelerates

Life insurance business in Saudi Arabia accounts for a modest share of the market’s GWP but this is about to change as faster growth has been witnessed over the past couple of years.
 

Buy Now


General insurance ready for reform

The general economic surge, emphasis on infrastructure development, technological innovations, regulatory reforms and focus to achieve Vision 2030 goals spell some good times ahead for Saudi Arabia’s insurance industry.
 

Buy Now


Clear vision leads to clear growth opportunities

Already one of the fastest growing insurance markets in the region, economic growth within Saudi Arabia is expected to accelerate as the central bank pushes through more changes as part of the national development plan, Vision 2030. This spells many challenges for the insurance industry, but at the same time, will provide a lot of opportunities for the kingdom’s reinsurers.
 

Buy Now


Paving the way for InsurTech growth

Technology adoption in Saudi Arabia is still at a nascent stage and there may be a divide between insurers that are well-resourced and those that struggle to keep up with emerging developments. We spoke to Deloitte’s Mr Zeeshan Abbasi to find out what is needed for InsurTech to develop in the kingdom.
 

Buy Now


Profit woes persist

Eleven out of the 13 Saudi listed insurers that published their 2021 financial results by mid-March 2022 reported declines in profits including six with net losses – a clear indication that the industry continued to be plagued by weak earnings and losses last year.
 

Buy Now


Health insurance in pole position

Health insurance continues to be the dominant line of business in the Saudi insurance market. With recent regulatory developments, increased focus on healthy living and health insurers stepping up their digital transformation efforts, the future of the sector looks promising.
 

Buy Now


Turbulent year for reinsurance brokers

The past year has been fraught for some reinsurance brokers in Saudi Arabi as they grapple with the realities of new regulations covering their activities. To gain some unique insights into the situation, we spoke to Kingdom Brokerage Re (DIFC)’s Mr Roger Tannous.
 

Buy Now


Legal developments for a rapidly changing market

HFW’s Messrs Justin Whelan and John Barlow talk about how Saudi Arabia’s legal and regulatory landscape is developing to keep up with the changes sweeping through the country.