US-based health insurer Cigna Corporation has started operations in the UAE as Zurich Insurance Middle East, following the acquisition of the general insurer in June 2017.
Headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, Zurich Insurance Middle East will operate in Kuwait, Oman and Lebanon besides the UAE.
In line with regulatory compliance, the newly acquired entity is called “Zurich Insurance Middle East, a Cigna-owned Company” and operates in the region through Zurich’s insurance licence.
The health insurer is in the process of selecting third party administrators and brokers in the UAE.
“The acquisition, completed in June 2017, marks the beginning of a new phase of operations for Cigna as the premier provider of both health and wellness services to individuals, employers and government entities across the Middle East,” said Mr Jason Sadler, President of Cigna International Markets.
In the Middle East, Cigna delivers group health products and services for small businesses and family-owned enterprises and multinational companies.
“Through the new entity, we will be able to provide even more personalised products to individuals, employers, and government entities,” said Mr Howard Gough, CEO of Cigna for the MENA Region, Global International Private Medical Insurance (GIPMI), and Global Government segment.
Mr Arthur Cozad, former CEO of Cigna Taiwan, has been named as CEO for Middle East Markets.
Earlier this year, Cigna opened offices at the DIFC to serve as its regional headquarters, providing management support and specialist services to its regulated entities across the GCC.
Cigna, a listed company in the US, has access to more than 95 million customers and has US$39.7 billion in revenues. M