Magazine

Read the latest edition of AIR and MEIR as an Interactive e-book

Nov 2012

News


MENA: Political unrest eclipses insurance demand

The global slowdown of financial markets and political instability are threatening to dampen insurance prospects in the region, where most markets are expected to see only single-digit growth this year, a new report from A.M. Best said.

Buy Now


Mena & GCC: Economic downturn drives demand for liability insurance in EMEA – Marsh

Companies across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) are buying higher levels of liability insurance as fears increase over possible claims during the economic downturn, said global broker Marsh in a report.

Buy Now


GCC: Financial advisors and investors becoming more risk tolerant

GCC-based financial advisors and retail investors are becoming increasingly “risk tolerant” and optimistic despite various challenges, including economic volatility, regional regulatory uncertainties and the prevailing geopolitical situation, said research firm Insight Discovery in a new report.

Buy Now


Arab countries need to catch up with global governance standards

Regulatory quality among 20 Arab countries retreated in 2011, with the average score amounting to -0.30 points, down from -0.24 points in 2010, said the Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) prepared jointly by the World Bank and the Brookings Institution.

Buy Now


FAIR Conference to be held in Beijing next Sep

Participants at a two-day meeting of the Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers and Reinsurers (FAIR) have agreed to hold the 23rd FAIR Conference in Beijing, China on 16-20 September 2013, according to a statement from the Omani Capital Market Authority (CMA).

Buy Now


Bahrain: Takaud to introduce pension products in 4Q

Takaud Savings and Pensions Co, a member of the KIPCO Group, is planning to offer its first corporate pension plan in the fourth quarter of this year and products for individuals by the first quarter of next year, said media reports.

Buy Now


Kuwait: Gulf Insurance gets financing to expand

Gulf Insurance Co (GIC) has signed a contract with Burgan Bank to obtain credit facilities worth US$52.7 million.

Buy Now


Lebanon: Orange card scheme sees big drop in premiums

Premiums generated under the Orange Card system in Lebanon reached US$947,000 in the first half of 2012, down 38% from $1.53 million in the same period last year, said media reports.

Buy Now


Palestine: Government paying more attention to insurance

Palestine’s insurance sector has achieved notable growth along the past few years but the structure of insurers’ portfolios remains unsound, said Mr Maher Al Masri, Chairman of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) at the second Palestinian Insurance Forum in Ramallah held in late September.

Buy Now


TheCityUK extends global financial centre network to Morocco

TheCityUK, an independent body responsible for promoting financial services in the UK and abroad, has added Casablanca, Morocco to its network of international financial centres.

Buy Now


Oman Re planning to go public within two years

Oman Reinsurance Co is planning to raise OMR10 million (US$30 million) in an initial public offering by 2014 to comply with regulatory requirements, said the Times of Oman citing a senior executive from the company.

Buy Now


Qatar: QFC Regulatory Authority seeks feedback on rule changes for insurers

The QFC Regulatory Authority has released a consultation paper with proposed rule changes aimed at strengthening the current controls rulebook by promoting compliance with recently revised principles set by the International Association of Insurance Supervisors and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.

Buy Now


UAE: Long waiting time drives patients abroad

The lack of medical skills and equipment and long wait for consultation are among the top reasons driving UAE citizens to seek treatment abroad instead of within the country, according to the latest survey conducted by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and Dubai Statistics Centre.

Buy Now


UAE: ADNIC implements Pharmacy Benefit Management

Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), in partnership with MedImpact Arabia, has implemented the Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) service.

Buy Now


UAE: Coface to support SMEs with trade credit insurance

Coface Emirates Services said it is targeting more local SMEs by supporting their development through trade credit insurance (TCI).

Buy Now


Yemen to approve new health insurance law

The Ministry of Public Health and Population is completing procedures to launch a new health insurance law in Yemen, said media reports.

Buy Now