From Editor-in-Chief

Need for confidence in Jordan's insurance market

Interview with the regulator: Strengthening the bases

With the Insurance Authority (IA) ramping up its role to actively regulate the market, UAE insurers can expect more regulations essentially aimed at establishing the business on sound legal, technical, and supervisory foundations. HE Ebrahim Obaid...

Oman Insurance Company: Diversifying beyond the UAE

Following its venture into Turkey, Oman and Qatar, Oman Insurance Company (OIC) is now looking to establish itself in the Saudi market, reveals CEO Patrick Choffel. By Wong Mei-Hwen

DIFC: Turning 10 and looking beyond

With the DIFC marking its 10th anniversary this month, Mr Mark Cooper of the DIFC Authority traces its growth and development over the last decade, and the Centre's strategy as it moves forward.

Reinsurance: A market primed for change

The region's reinsurance players continue to face difficult conditions, but there is still some anticipation that the market will correct itself before regulators step in. Some members of the MENA Insurance CEO Club (MICC) share their insights and...

Reinsurance:Building a successful (re)insurance hub: Lessons from Dubai and Singapore

While Dubai and Singapore possess the same kinds of qualities that have helped them become successful reinsurance hubs, both are facing threats and challenges, says Mr Rainer Lehner of Asia Capital Re in a comparative study.

Reinsurance: MENA reinsurance market: Trends and outlook

The regional reinsurance marketplace has become significantly more self-sufficient, even though international reinsurers still play an important role, says Mrs Yolla El Khoury of ACE Holding in an outline of the market's trends.

Aviation: Airline insurance: The flight to quality

Insurers seem resolved to raise prices and premium volumes to be able to better withstand the cost of major accidents, says Mr Simon Knechtli of Willis in an overview of the global and Middle East airline insurance sector.

Life & Pensions: Unlocking value with predictive modelling

Mr Martin Houle of RGA Reinsurance Company Middle East Limited looks at how life insurance companies can use predictive modelling to optimise internal data, and the various techniques that may be utilised.

Life & Pensions: Harnessing the retention power of gratuities

Mr Peter Cox of Zurich looks at how employers can structure a corporate savings plan that acts as a tool to recruit and retain the best talent.

War & Terrorism: Could the Middle East dictate the future for insurers and reinsurers?

Mr David McCarthy of Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP looks at the risks that war and terrorism present in the broader reinsurance coverage, and how events in the Middle East could prove decisive for the fortunes of insurers and reinsurers.

Takaful in Malaysia: Regulatory changes shaping growth prospects

Regulatory reforms are expected to enhance the takaful sector's competitiveness and spur M&A activity in the medium term, says Mr Thomas Ng of Fitch Ratings.

MENA & GCC: Finalists of the Middle East Insurance Industry Awards

Forty of 200 entries have made it to finals of the Middle East Insurance Industry Awards (MIIA), held to recognise and salute excellence in the industry.

MENA & GCC: Trust Re announces expansion plans at 25th anniversary

Trust Re has received an 'A-' rating from Standard & Poor's, it revealed at its 25th anniversary dinner party in Bahrain where it also announced key developments, including plans to raise capital and set up offices in China and India.

MENA: GAIF may launch new reinsurer

The General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) is expecting to receive a proposal to create an Arab insurance firm with a capital of US$10 billion, said the newly appointed President of regional industry body, Mr Alaa El Zoheiry.

Hull war rates to "at least double" - FAIR Aviation Pool

The attacks on Tripoli Airport and the downing of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 will double the hull war rate on most aviation programmes, if not triple it during the renewals this quarter, said Mr Tarik Brahimi, Director of the Federation of...

Monte Carlo Rendez-vous: Cautious optimism sets tone for renewals

Despite observations such as increased risk retention by ceding companies, global reinsurers are still holding out hopes for moderate growth in P&C and Nat CAT cover in the medium term.

Global bodies like IUMI more relevant than ever

Organisations such as the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) which promote global cooperation are needed more than ever in the changing environment, delegates heard at the IUMI 2014 conference in Hong Kong.

GCC & MENA: Strong prospects ahead for takaful in MENA

The takaful industry in the MENA region is undergoing transformation and there is outstanding potential for the market to grow and thrive, said Mr Abdul Rahman Al Baker, Executive Director of Financial Institutions Supervision of the Central Bank of...

GCC & MENA: IFTI names Mr Younis Al-Sayed as Chairman

The International Federation for Takaful and Islamic Insurance Companies (IFTI) has named Mr Younis J Al-Sayed, Chairman of Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA) and CEO of Takaful International, as Chairman for a two-year term starting this year.

Egyptian Takaful to distribute US$1.6 mln in surpluses

Egyptian Takaful (Egtak) will distribute EGP11.4 million (US$1.6 million) in surpluses to policyholders, said Mr Alsayed Bayoumi, General Manager of its investment department.

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