The year 2021 has been truly another tumultuous year with COVID-19 and geopolitical swings. As we celebrate the 8th Middle East Insurance Industry Awards (MIIA), I must salute the many new entries who came in to vie for these awards. Their enthusiasm was indeed encouraging, especially after the long drawn-out toll of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although some of the markets in the region have bounced back from lockdowns and such, many are still watching with bated breath. But through it all, what shone bright was the passion, the conviction, the grit and the zest of the industry in striving for excellence and the spirit of competition that still prevailed.
Whilst we would have liked to have hosted these awards live, it seemed not meant to be. We thank you, the industry, for always being by our side in pushing the boundaries of excellence. For me, it is most gratifying to see the level of participation and camaraderie in the quest for excellence through these awards.
We received a record number of nominations this year from which some 47 were chosen for the final round of judging. The innovation, digital transformation and customer-centric initiatives that came out of the pandemic were truly empowering, not to mention new products launched to serve clients. In addition, how companies used AI, robotics and technology raised the bar in this competition.
Congratulations to all the winners, as well as the finalists! It remains now on your shoulders not only to celebrate your achievements, but also to continue to raise industry standards – remember, you are now the benchmark.
For us at MEIR, everyone is a winner! It was indeed a tough fight and for many categories, it was a close call.
MEIR’s role is humble – it is the distinguished panel of 25 judges, our valued sponsors and the nominees themselves that add to the prestige of these awards. On behalf of Middle East Insurance Review, our heartiest gratitude to you all.
Our judges must be saluted as they worked the hardest, reading and reflecting on the write-ups of the entries in both rounds of judging. This year, with the travel restrictions, the panel of judges met on Zoom. Our gratitude to all our sponsors and supporting organisations, many of which have been with us faithfully from the very start. I would also like to place on record our appreciation to EY, the auditor of the Awards.
As I reflect on the eight years, it is indeed a moment of satisfying pride that the MIIA trophy is the most coveted today in the region, with its clearly defined criteria and transparent selection process.
Here’s to an even better year to come and hope to see you in person soon