Magazine

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

Oct 2014

News


Special: GAIF at 50: An Arab strategy with 12 drivers

GAIF's 50th Anniversary celebrations in Sharm El-Sheikh culminated with 12 recommendations as part of its drive to start the launch of an Arab insurance strategy. By Wong Mei-Hwen

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MENA & GCC: MICC turns five

The MENA Insurance CEO Club (MICC) commemorates its fifth anniversary this month at its annual Strategic Seminar in Dubai with a track record of achievements.

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MENA & GCC: Middle East Insurance Industry Awards shortlists 42 finalists

Forty-two finalists have entered the last round of judging for the inaugural Middle East Insurance Industry Awards (MIIA), organised by the Middle East Insurance Review.

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MENA: Insurers switch strategies in quest for higher profits - A.M. Best

Primary insurers in MENA are eyeing regional operations as most of them hold strong capital positions and are under pressure from investors to utilise capital more efficiently

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MENA & GCC: Specialty insurance provider expands into the Middle East

Bespoke products from Malaysia-based specialty insurance provider NexAssure Solutions are now available in the Middle East, said newly appointed CEO Anthony Hobrow in an interview with Middle East Insurance Review.

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GCC: Value of infrastructure projects up by 78% in 2014

Infrastructure projects across the GCC will rise to US$86 billion this year, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar dominating the share.

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Algeria: Premiums nearly flat in 1H

The insurance market in Algeria was virtually flat during the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, weighed down by lower sales of new vehicles. Premiums from January to June declined by 0.27% to DZD55.5 billion (US$685.6 million), according to preliminary figures obtained by news website, AllaboutAlgeria.

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Algeria: Insurers lose US$1.25 bln annually to traffic accidents

Algerian insurers chalk up losses totalling US$1.25 billion annually due to traffic accidents, with goods and passenger vehicles involved in most road mishaps, reported Al Bayan citing police data.

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Algeria: Bancassurance on the rise

Bancassurance sales soared 26.9% to exceed DZD1.6 billion (US$19.8 million) last year, according to the National Insurance Council. In comparison, Algeria's total premiums rose by 15% to DZD113.9 billion in 2013.

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Bahrain Insurance Association moots motor accident fund

The Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA) is spearheading a plan to set up a fund to compensate hit-and-run victims in Bahrain.

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Bahrain: Trust Re's GWP climbs by 19% to US$314 mln for 1H

Trust Re has generated gross written premiums of US$314.3 million for the first half of 2014, up 19.1% y-o-y. Net underwriting profit declined for the first six months of the year to $6.9 million compared to $10.7 million for the same period in 2013, due to deterioration of the loss ratio.

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Egypt: Insurers invest at least US$44 mln in Suez Canal bonds

Insurers in Egypt have invested EGP312 million (US$43.6 million) in bonds issued to finance the new Suez Canal project, aimed at boosting the Egyptian economy.

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Egypt to be regional HQ for Gras Savoye

The Egyptian unit of French insurance brokerage Gras Savoye will be the regional headquarters of the group's reinsurance operations in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, said Mr Hamed Mabrouk, Managing Director of Gras Savoye Egypt.

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Jordan grows 3% despite challenges - A.M. Best

Jordan's insurance market continues to grow amid challenges from the unprofitable mandatory motor business, declining capital adequacy and regulatory uncertainty, along with regional unrest on its borders, said A.M. Best in a report.

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Morocco: Mutual insurer ties up with Ivory Coast rural agency

Moroccan Agricultural Mutual Insurance (MAMDA) has signed an agreement with Ivory Coast's National Rural Development Support Agency (ANADER), in expectation of Ivory Coast becoming a springboard for entry into other African markets.

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Morocco: Social security fund spends US$44 mln on diabetes care

The amount of money spent by the National Social Security Fund each year on care for people suffering from diabetes more than doubled to MAD379 million (US$44.2 million) last year from MAD183 million in 2008, representing an average annual increase of 16%.

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Oman: Insurers' stock listings to improve capital market access - Moody's

A new requirement for Omani insurers to list their stocks is a credit positive move because it will improve the companies' capital market access to funds, strengthen their capital, make them more transparent and enhance the financial strength of the insurance market, said Moody's in a report.

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Qatar Re reports 55% jump in 1H premiums

Qatar Re wrote gross premiums of US$327 million for the first half of this year, an increase of 55% over the corresponding period last year.

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Tunis Re seeks partner

As part of its 2012-2016 development plan, Tunis Re has launched an international invitation for investors to become a strategic partner to take up 25% of shareholdings and voting rights in the company.

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UAE: Insurance Authority regulates most advisory firms

Three different authorities regulate about 160 advisory firms in the UAE, with the Insurance Authority (IA) overseeing most of them, said International Advisor.

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UAE: More than a third of drivers admit to being distracted

Over one third of UAE motorists admit to becoming distracted while driving, according to joint research released by global insurer Zurich and RoadSafetyUAE.com.

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