Disruption in full swing
The level of disruption is rising globally. And after six years of being classified as ‘vulnerable’, the insurance sector has moved into the ‘volatile’ quadrant where it can no longer afford to take the wait-and-see approach...
Buy Now
The upside of digital disruption
The insurance industry has long been characterised as conservative when it comes to innovation, but the disruptive forces threatening traditional business models are pressuring players for a transformational response in order for them to remain...
Buy Now
Growing takaful with InsurTech
InsurTech can and will help in the promotion, standardisation and harmonisation of takaful products, as well as their broader integration with existing Islamic finance mechanisms. Partnerships, collaboration and ecosystems need to remain in focus...
Buy Now

Time to re-examine strategies
Growth has decelerated in the UAE insurance sector in 2018 for the first time in 10 years, which should prompt players to revisit their business strategies, avoid harmful competition and expand their offerings in new areas, especially life and...
Stable returns for UAE insurers make the market attractive for foreign investors
Improvement in regulatory supervision, risk-management practices and pricing capabilities have been drivers in the growth of the UAE market. And given its size, the market would be attractive to a number of regional and international insurers,...
Buy Now
Retirement and savings to spur growth in the GCC: Gulf Insurance Forum
Demographic changes, along with the growing interest in shifting the burden of social services to the private sector in the GCC, should encourage insurers to expand their offerings in the end-of-service benefits and savings programmes, said speakers...
Buy Now

New regulations promise better prospects
Mr Murtadha M J Ibrahim Al Jamalani of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) discusses the status of the insurance sector in the sultanate and explains why there remains much to be done so that players can further benefit from potential...
Buy Now

Tech-based threats the new emerging risks for energy companies
The energy sector remains a key target for terrorism and political violence. The recent drone attack on Saudi oil facilities has raised important questions for energy operators and insurers regarding identifying and mitigating potential future risks...
Buy Now

In the digital economy, a great customer experience is more important than ever
True omnichannel customer service, a strategy that integrates multiple contact methods for clients and customer service teams, ensures that customer journeys can flow and cross between them based on individual needs, says Ms Carine Moneyron of Nexus.
Buy Now
Maximising the reach of trade credit insurance
Trade credit insurance has a lot more room for growth in the Middle East unlike in many European countries where almost 90% of businesses insure their receivables. Ms Syama Jilani of RKH DIFC explains the opportunities for brokers, underwriters and...
Buy Now

Mechanisms of collaboration among emerging-market reinsurers
Mr Youssef Fassi Fihri of Société Centrale de Réassurance (SCR) shares the findings of a recent study on the measures that emerging-market reinsurers deploy to counter a number of perceived disadvantages relating to their...
Buy Now

Protecting the entrepreneurial spirit
To respond to the needs of the new generation in order to remain relevant and increase its share of the Islamic finance industry, Mr Ikram Thowfeek of MIT Global proposes the concept of ‘entrepreneurial takaful’, designed to protect...
Buy Now
Takaful needs to be more affordable, say experts
Takaful represents 17% of total combined premiums in Malaysia, but to make the next leap in growth, it has to be made more inclusive and affordable.
Buy Now

Better cooperation paves the way for further growth
The emphasis on cooperation was the common thread that ran throughout the Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers & Reinsurers (FAIR) Conference held in Marrakech on 23 to 25 September, where industry players discussed top concerns such as developing...
Buy Now
Regulations for a better marketplace
Dealing with regulatory challenges is a priority for (re)insurers in Africa in order for the industry to achieve sustainable growth and flourish, said speakers at the 24th African Reinsurance Forum held in Tunis in September.
Buy Now

MENA: Reinsurance market has lower level of underwriting returns
The MENA reinsurance market is slightly behind the global average in terms of the combined ratio, and therefore, has a lower level of underwriting returns, said Mr Salman Siddiqui, director of analytics at AM Best.
MENA: GAIF works on electronic links for cross-border motor insurance
The General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) is working on setting up electronic links for its Orange Card motor insurance facility, to smoothen vehicle travel between Arab states, said Mr Chakib Abouzaid, secretary general of the federation.
Industry veterans publish book on pioneers of Arab insurance
Insurance veterans Messrs Tayseer Treky and Misbah Kamal have recently released ‘Memory of Arab Insurance: Interviews’ – a compilation of 10 interviews featuring industry practitioners from Iraq (Messrs Baha Baheej Shukri and Abdul...

MAPFRE ASISTENCIA team at the 26th FAIR Conference in Marrakech
MAPFRE ASISTENCIA Middle East unit attended the 26th Federation of Afro-Asian Insurers and Reinsurers (FAIR) Conference which took place at Palmeraie Golf Palace in Marrakech, Morocco from 23-25 September.
50th Gulf Assist Board of Directors Meeting in Bahrain: Completing 25 years of Gulf Assist in the Middle East Market
The 50th Gulf Assist Board of Directors Meeting was held on 17 October at InterContinental Regency, Bahrain.