Stars of 2018 will continue to shine
Catalyst for trade and economic diversification
Sector outlook
Hardening market imminent
GCC
In pursuit of stability and sustainable growth
New life script in the GCC to take flight
Reinsurers feeling the heat
Stable outlook amidst potential headwinds
Cyber
Taking a proactive approach to cyber security
VAT
Clarity, one year on
MENA
MENA: Energy price shock seen as No.1 risk for the region
Middle East: 2019 promises to be busy for insurers in the region
GCC: Unsustainability of pension funds sets off alarm bells
GCC: Call for regional marine insurance group to be formed
GCC: IMF highlights reforms needed for growing insurance & non-bank financial sectors
Algeria: AXA forms alliance with biggest local insurer
Egypt: Insurance market saw premiums up by 24% in FY2018
Egypt: Misr group targets Africa for expansion
Egypt: Insurers ready IT systems to cater for product review fees
Iran: Foreign insurers have settled payouts for sunk tanker
Iran: International Group of P&I Clubs warns about insurance cover for Iran-related shipping
Jordan: New insurance award to mark 10 years of Aqaba Conference
Jordan: Draft rules issued for medical liability insurance fund
Kuwait: Committee approves Bill for mandatory health insurance for expats
Kuwait: Composite reinsurer posted 41% underwriting gains for 9M18
Morocco: Product diversification boosts insurance market prospects
Oman: Authorities prepare for launch of mandatory health insurance
Qatar: Legislators call for Nat CAT insurance law
Saudi Arabia: Central bank issues regulations for branches of foreign insurers
Saudi Arabia: Draft rules issued for insurance for cars leased to individuals
Saudi Arabia: Changing regulations expected to push insurance M&A
Turkey: Agents body calls for customised medical insurance pricing
UAE: Rules for online insurance platforms to be launched soon
UAE: Regulator draws up insurance framework for hybrid & electric vehicles
UAE: Marsh receives Abu Dhabi's first captive insurance management licence
UAE: Etihad Credit Insurance partners with French bank
UAE: HDFC International Life & Re assigned rating by S&P
Global
Swiss Re estimates global insured losses from disasters at $79bn for 2018
Insurance associations say IAIS supervision proposal 'overly intrusive'
Bermuda holds 58% of global alternative capital
Trade risks a concern if ports are not protected from climate change: UN
Takaful
Global: IFSB releases takaful standard for supervisory review process
Indonesia: Takaful operators urged to target millennials for growth
Malaysia: Tax exemptions to benefit 4.4m insurance and takaful policyholders
Malaysia: HSBC gets nod to sell 49% of its takaful business to FWD
Morocco: Expectations rise over introduction of takaful
Oman: Central Bank becomes full member of IFSB
UAE: Investment firm acquires 29.49% stake in Takaful Emarat
UAE: DFSA signs MoU with Malaysia's central bank to further strengthen Islamic finance
UK: London body issues takaful guidelines to help underwriters
People on the move
COVER STORY - Sector outlook
COUNTRY PROFILE - GCC
The GCC region is the main growth engine for the MENA insurance industry, with its wealthy states and supportive demographics. Despite the prevailing headwinds, the markets are expected to hold up well.
FEATURE - Cyber
Cyber threats are becoming more of a norm than an exception to businesses in an increasingly tech-driven age, suggesting that every organisation needs to keep adapting to this changing landscape or risk succumbing to new threats.
Buy Now
With the great tidings 2019 must bring, we look for hope amidst the struggles in the world threatened by trade wars, terrorism and nuclear spats with oil price shocks rated as the top risk for the region.
The winners of the 2018 Middle East Insurance Industry Awards (MIIA) will remain in the limelight this year as Middle East Insurance Review continues to tap on their knowledge and expertise to bring you the latest happenings in the industry.
Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) CEO Massimo Falcioni tells Middle East Insurance Review how the company aims to serve as a catalyst for the growth of UAE non-oil exports and economic diversification.
Middle East Insurance Review organised a roundtable discussion in Dubai recently where CEOs in the region discussed critical issues they faced in 2018 ranging from pricing pressures and overcapacity to the commercial feasibility of technology...
Life insurance business in the GCC accounts for a modest portion of the region’s gross premiums, but the future bodes well as regulators are changing the rules of the game and governments are considering a greater role for the private sector.
The reinsurance landscape in the region has seen serious difficulties in the past year and companies need to be extra vigilant in deploying capacity and managing risks.
The insurance industry has been grappling with the challenges related to value-added taxes since the introduction of VAT in the UAE last year. Messrs Adrian Low and Wayne Jones of Clyde & Co shed some light on a few of the more pertinent issues.
Energy price shock is perceived as the biggest risk for doing business in the MENA region, according to the report ‘Regional Risks for Doing Business 2018’ published by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The Middle East insurance market looks set to be a busy one in 2019, with three main developments standing out, the international law firm Clyde & Co has predicted.
Most of the GCC public pension schemes are on a trajectory where benefits expenditure would overtake the contributions received and eventually a point would be reached where the schemes would not have adequate resources to pay retirees, said a...