Bahrain: MEIF 2017 to explore industry's current challenges and future directions
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Feb 2017
The 13th Annual Middle East Insurance Forum (MEIF 2017) has announced that its flagship forum will take place on 20-21 February 2017 in Bahrain. Held under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), the event will have the theme of “Current Challenges and their Implications on the Regional Insurance Industry – The Road Ahead”.
The event is expected to attract more than 400 global and regional insurance and takaful leaders and experts, including high-level dignitaries, central bank representatives, economists, thought leaders, researchers and academics.
The Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA) is supporting the event through knowledge sharing and technical cooperation.
The organiser said MEIF 2017 will look closely at obstacles impeding growth and strategies for further expansion and industry advancement. Keynote speakers and panellists will address a range of topics at the two-day event, including: industry consolidation through M&A; the role of insurers in the current reform in health services; financial technology development in the insurance industry; challenges facing the takaful industry; the implication of the introduction of VAT in the regional markets; and environmental challenges in the insurance sector.
Other highlights of the event will be a ceremony honouring the “Best Insurance Company in the MENA Region”.
Mr Abdul Rahman Al-Baker, Executive Director of Financial Institutions Supervision at the CBB, said: “Home to a vast number of Middle East and global insurers and as a leading financial hub, the Kingdom of Bahrain is delighted to host this landmark annual forum. We look forward to welcoming top industry leaders from across the Middle East and their international counterparts.
“Together, they will discuss existing challenges facing the insurance industry and the development of new innovative solutions and frameworks to effectively capitalise on emerging opportunities in the growing regional insurance market.”