From Editor-in-chief

Reinsurance - Renewals outlook: A clarion call for change

Unabated market competition continues to underscore the need for technical underwriting. Ahead of the 1 January 2014 renewals, reinsurers and brokers operating in the MENA region provide their views and outlook on the market.

Reinsurance - A global perspective on MENA reinsurance markets

The reinsurance markets of the MENA region are undergoing profound change. Retention levels are on the increase, the region's perception as a "low natural catastrophe, low correlation" area is challenged, and the composition of available reinsurance...

Reinsurance - DIFC Court asserts standing in reinsurance case

Messrs Wayne Jones and Keith Hutchison of Clyde & Co look into a recent decision handed down by the DIFC Court of First Instance in its first reinsurance case and their practical implications.

Staying bouyant

Mr Kemal Çuhaci of Milli Re reflects on the market's performance in 2012 and how a combination of regulations, foreign capital and economic developments are creating a unique market in Turkey.

Life insurance: On the upswing

With the change over the past 10 years, Turkey's fast-growing economy and dynamic demographic profile has created the impetus for a strong life market growth, says Mr Gokhan Ozum of RGA Global Reinsurance Company's Turkey Liaison Office.

Reforms bring attractive supplementary pensions

Turkey introduced reforms effective 1 January 2013 in the hope of encouraging more savings among employees and greater participation in the third-pillar system. Mr Michael Brough and Ms Evrim Koksal Arkut of Towers Watson analyse the results thus...

MICC essay competition - Coping with climate change in the MENA region

Insurance should form part of the overall strategy to deal with climate change, says Mr Cyril Antony George of Vision Insurance in his winning entry to the second essay competition organised by the MENA Insurance CEO Club (MICC).

Asset management - The role of asset management in Qatar's financial market

The MENA region's asset management sector is starting to flourish, with its volume of assets under management tripling in the last decade. Mr Shashank Srivastava of the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority examines the opportunities available.

Regulations - MENA's insurance potential and the regulatory role

The insurance landscape in the MENA region has changed rapidly over the past five years, presenting challenges and opportunities for the various players. Mr Irshied Tayeb and Ms Liz Zamorski of Bin Shabib & Associates discuss the developments in the...

Regulations - Advancing Malaysia's takaful framework

Takaful regulations and guidelines in Malaysia are among the most robust and advanced in the world. Ms Farzana Ismail of Actuarial Partners Consulting summarises the key changes brought about by new regulations and guidelines in Malaysia, and their...

UK - London adds new pieces to Islamic jigsaw

The introduction of a Shariah-compliant underwriter in the London market and a renewed political will to promote Islamic finance has made the city a more desirable place for Islamic finance transactions. Middle East Insurance Review takes a closer...

Leaving a legacy

More valuable than achieving success is passing on a successful experience to the next generation and leaving a respectable legacy, says Mr Aziz Abdel Jawwad, Co-Founder and former CEO of Palestine's National Insurance Company (NIC).

MENA & GCC: MICC announces winner of second Essay Contest

Mr Cyril Antony George, Manager, Risk Inspection & Technical with Vision Insurance Company in Oman, emerged as the winner of the annual Essay Competition organised by MENA Insurance CEO Club (MICC) as part of its ongoing efforts to boost...

MENA: Reinsurance premiums to grow faster than GDP - survey

A survey by the Qatar Financial Centre Authority has found that slightly more than half of its respondents expect MENA reinsurance premiums to grow faster than the region's GDP, despite intense competition and pressure on pricing.

Insurance M&A deals in Middle East continue to fall

M&A transactions in the Middle East insurance industry continued their downward trend to reach their lowest level in four years, with nine deals completed during the July 2012 to June 2013 period compared to 13 the previous year, said media reports...

Monte Carlo: Influx of alternative capital ups market pressure

The continuing influx of alternative capital will have a considerable impact on the reinsurance market, threatening the competitive landscape and affecting reinsurance dynamics, according to various industry reports ahead of Rendez-Vous de Septembre...

GCC: Islamic insurers face challenges in generating surpluses - A.M. Best

GCC takaful operators are facing huge competitive pressures which has further compromised their ability to generate surpluses within the participants' fund, said A.M. Best in a report.

India: RBI approves first non-bank Islamic finance firm in Kerala

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has allowed the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) to launch a non-banking financial company (NBFC) offering Shariah-compliant services, including insurance, said media reports.

Malaysia: Sun Life Takaful starts business

Canada-based Sun Life Financial has officially begun its takaful and conventional operations in Malaysia following its acquisition of CIMB Aviva Assurance and Takaful entities earlier this year.

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