Mr Abdul Khaliq R Khalil has decided to step down as secretary general of the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) after serving in the post for more than two decades. He will leave the post by the end of June 2019 while the GAIF board chooses a successor.
In a farewell message addressing Arab insurance markets, Mr Khalil said he is proud to leave behind a solid institution with strong foundations that has been able to place the Arab insurance industry on the international map. Realising the importance of achieving economic integration among Arab insurance sectors, Mr Khalil worked hard to strengthen bonds of cooperation and help raise the standards of the regional Arab insurance industry.
GAIF membership expanded significantly during his tenure. In 1999, when he joined GAIF, the organisation had 192 members. Now, there are 340 member entities under GAIF’s umbrella. “We have amended the bylaws to allow several insurance-related professions from the Arab world and beyond to join GAIF,” said Mr Khalil.
On the financial side, he said that after more than 20 years, GAIF’s funds have grown by more than 10 times reaching $5.4m at present compared to only $445,000 in 1999.
Among other accomplishments during his tenure, the statement lists the implementation of the unified Orange Card system for vehicles travelling across borders in Arab countries.
In addition, during the period, GAIF held 10 successful general conferences, staged 64 various educational and technical events, and supported Arab insurance associations and federations in spreading awareness and building cooperation with various Arab, regional and international insurance communities.
He said, “I’m proud to have been able, through my humble efforts, to accomplish part of these successes. Such achievements won’t have been realised without the support and concerted efforts of all Arab insurance executives and our friends in the region. A special thanks to my colleagues at the Federation for the support and sincere effort they have shown over the years.”
Mr Khalil began his insurance career in Iraq in 1966 with Iraq Insurance Co and climbed the ranks until he was named as the general manager and chairman of the company in 1982. M