From Editor-in-Chief
Building a stronger insurance sector
GIC Re still upbeat on MENA
Social Media & Branding: Making the connection
Social Media & Branding: Managing the risks of social media
Social Media & Branding: Winning hearts and wallets - Why you won't succeed by just fitting in!
Social Media & Branding: Building brand awareness
Resilient in the face of uncertainties
Trade Credit Insurance: Facilitating trade with the MENA region
Trade Credit Insurance: Meeting changing needs in the Middle East
Takaful champions
Strategic Global View: A respite for the global (re)insurance industry, but no all-clear
Opinion Page: On a roll, or just rolling along?
Extra! Extra!: My life as an "Insurance Wife"
Political Violence & Terrorism: Underwriting political violence & war risks in MENA - Dynamic approach needed
Political Violence & Terrorism: The Middle East influence in law
Tunisia forges ahead
Tunis Re moves to shore up position
The UAE: Time to get the strategy right
The UAE: Where is the UAE's takaful sector heading?
Fine-tuning takaful to preserve the momentum
Retakaful continues to prove its worth
Multaqa 2013 - Insurers display cautious optimism
Saudi Symposium: Paving the road for a better future
Passing with distinctions
Passionate about success
MENA & GCC: Saudi Re CEO joins MENA Insurance CEO Club
MENA & GCC: MENA sees strong demand for trade credit insurance
MENA & GCC: Middle East: Zurich extends offering to large corporations
MENA & GCC: EMEA region leads demand for transactional risk insurance
MENA & GCC: Gulf Insurance Federation to form motor scheme by end-2013
Bahrain: Higher claims lower BNH profits by 30% in 2012
Bahrain: Pension fund buys major stake in Bahrain Islamic Bank
Bahrain: Crescent Global launches life agency
Bahrain: Registry firm offers fund management services
Egypt: Premiums hit US$37.5 mln in December
OdysseyRe raises stake in Jordan Kuwait Bank
India to set up insurance fund for Iranian oil imports
Jordan: JIC growth outpaces market, maintains leadership
Oman: Sovereign fund buys Dubai Insurance Group's 41.1% ONIC stake
Qatar: Al Koot to become a reinsurer
Qatar: QIC to increase capital to US$352 million
Daman Qatar signs health contract with consulting firm
UAE: Transport Authority offers insurance services on Fridays
UAE: Daman signs health insurance deal with Arabtec
UAE: Insurance House to buy back shares
UAE: Abraaj to divest 50% stake in Turkish health insurer
UAE residents unprepared for retirement - HSBC survey
UAE: Broker forms aviation group to provide insurance solutions for SMEs
UAE: Dubai Trade launches online tool for cargo insurance
21st century to see rise in quakes
Bahrain: Takaful Int'l posts 13% rise in profit for 2012
Bahrain: Gov't workers to get access to Shariah-compliant financing
Egyptian parliament approves sukuk law
Malaysia: Alliance Bank to sell 30% stake in takaful JV
Takaful Malaysia net profit up 31% to US$33 mln
Malaysia: Takaful IKHLAS launches group medical plan
Malaysia: EXIM bank prepares for US$1 bln sukuk
Oman United plans for Islamic business
Qatar: Al Khaleej posts 23% increase in 2012 profits
GTC eyes takaful leadership in Qatar
Alpen to start operations in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia: UCA sees 40% fall in profits for 2012
Saudi Arabia: Al Sagr to raise capital by 25% via bonus share issue
UAE: Abu Dhabi National Takaful's 2012 net profit up 11% to US$7 mln
UAE: Watania reports satisfactory fund results
UAE: JV formed to tap Islamic endowment funds
African countries may look to sukuk for growth - S&P
Diary of Events
People on the move
Social media is still new concept for the region's insurance industry, but it is here to stay, and it is one that cannot be ignored. As customers increasingly interact online, it is important that insurers adapt to social media platforms to improve their virtual presence and stay connected.
Buy Now
Businesses should adopt international best practice and the strictest legal position in relation to its use of social media, whilst ensuring it is not against local laws, says Mr Takamasa Makita of Clyde & Co.
Winning customers' hearts involves a few very simple steps, but requires lots of experimenting to get the right mix that suits your organisation, says Mr Daniel Jason of Al Nabooda Insurance Brokers.
Mr Philip Carrington of Globaleye looks at what goes into cultivating a brand - harnessing technology, soliciting customer feedback, and recruiting and retaining the right staff.