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Apr 2024

News


MENA

Middle East: bolttech extends footprint to several new markets

International InsurTech bolttech announced its expansion into the Middle East with the launch of its partnership with Riyadh-headquartered stc Group, a telecommunications company driving digital transformation in the region.
 


Middle East: NASCO in global strategic alliance with leading European reinsurance broker

NASCO Insurance Group (Nasco) and Diot-Siaci, a European leader in corporate insurance brokerage, have announced a global strategic alliance.
 


Algeria: Draft insurance law focuses on product diversification, takaful and digitalisation

The preliminary draft law on insurance, which is currently being finalised, will make it possible to diversify insurance products and systems, with an emphasis on financial inclusion, in particular via takaful, management of new risks, while giving a large place to digitalisation, said National Insurance Council secretary-general Abdelhakim Benbouabdellah.
 


Bahrain: Gulf Tamin buys stake of 13.85% in ARIG

Gulf Tamin has acquired a stake of 13.85% in reinsurer Arab Insurance Group (ARIG), according to a statement filed by ARIG with Bahrain Bourse.
 


Egypt: Insurance federation vets business models for proposed Nat CAT pool

The Insurance Federation of Egypt (IFE) is studying various options to arrive at the optimal business model for a natural disaster pool that it plans to establish.
 


Egypt: Parliamentary economic committee proposes formation of national reinsurer

The Economic Committee of the House of Representatives has recommended that a national reinsurance entity be established and that a small panel be formed to discuss the creation of the reinsurer.
 


Egypt: Property insurance drives industry growth in 2023

Insurance premiums in the Egyptian market increased in nominal terms by 30.4% in 2023 to reach EGP74.1bn ($1.55bn), compared to EGP56.8bn in 2022.
 


Jordan: AM Best revises issuer credit rating outlook to 'Stable' for Middle East Insurance Co

The underwriting results of Middle East Insurance Company (MEICO) have been adequate in recent years, as evidenced by a five-year (2018-2022) weighted average combined ratio of 99.6% (as calculated by AM Best), according to the global credit rating agency.
 


Kuwait: GIG to dispose of holdings in Buruj Cooperative Insurance

Gulf Insurance Group has signed a binding agreement to sell its entire stake in Saudi Arabian insurer Buruj Cooperative Insurance Company.
 


Libya: Insurance federation calls for updating of industry legislation

The insurance law in Libya needs to be amended and updated to keep pace with market developments, especially legislation in neighbouring countries, according to Libyan Federation of Insurance Companies secretary-general Ali Regae.
 


Oman: Regulator gives nod to digital platforms of four insurance entities

The Capital Market Authority (CMA) has approved four insurance entities including insurance companies and brokerages to provide their integrated insurance services via online platforms.
 


Saudi Arabia: Competition is alive in domestic worker insurance branch

Insurance premiums for coverage of domestic workers differ because of competition in the market, according to official spokesperson for the insurance sector in Saudi Arabia Adel Al-Essa.
 


Saudi Arabia: Insurance Authority now in charge of health insurance regulation

The Insurance Authority has taken over the supervision of health insurance from the Council of Health Insurance (CHI), the insurance regulator saID in a statement.
 


Saudi Arabia: Tawuniya becomes a strategic partner of car leasing platform company

The Company for Cooperative Insurance (Tawuniya) has formed a strategic partnership with Ejaro, a car rental platform company.
 


Türkiye: Call made for insurance to be mandatory for factories

The insurance industry in Türkiye faces several challenges, according to the Istanbul Chamber of Industry chairman Erdal Bahcivan.
 


UAE: Ombudsman Unit starts operations

Sanadak, the Ombudsman Unit catering to customers of financial institutions and licensed insurers, has started operations, in line with the UAE leadership’s directive to enhance government services, and in accordance with the regulations set by the Central Bank of the UAE.
 


UAE: Marsh staff mourn Ronny Vellekoop


Global

Global: ILS market at a crossroads

Losses stemming from hurricane Ian, following several years of heightened catastrophe losses, have solidified the arrival of a hard market and dampened the influx of new capital from insurance-linked securities (ILS) investors, according to a new AM Best report.
 


Global: Insurers increasingly concerned about greenwashing when it comes to investing

Insurers are becoming increasingly concerned about greenwashing as ESG requirements become tougher, according to a new global study among investment management professionals in life insurers, London markets (re)insurers and investment managers who support insurers.
 


Global: Health and safety as top risk facing global directors

The risk of health and safety appears to be the top risk for directors and officers according to the 2024 Global Directors’ and Officers’ Survey Report from WTW and Clyde & Co.
 


Global: Lloyd's reports strong preliminary results for 2023

Last month, Lloyd’s provided a trading update for its 2023 full year (FY23) financial performance.
 


Takaful

Canada: MGA launches takaful operations

Toronto-based Canadian management general agent CHES Special Risk (CHES) has launched Ethical Insurance which is described as Canada’s first shariah-compliant insurance provider.
 


Malaysia: Takaful business expected to witness stable profitability and capitalisation

The heightened awareness of medical and weather events coverage is likely to stimulate takaful growth, but the market will face some headwinds, including the inflationary environment, market volatility, weakening ringgit, and the end of the passenger car tax exemption, said Fitch Ratings.
 


Oman: Sultanate's sole reinsurer clinches retakaful window licence

Oman Re, the sole reinsurer in the Sultanate of Oman, received a retakaful window licence from the Capital Market Authority on 22 February 2024, the company announced in a statement.
 


Saudi Arabia: Al Rajhi Takaful's 2023 net profit jumps by over 350%

The net profit after zakat attributable to shareholders of Al Rajhi Company for Cooperative Insurance (Al Rajhi Takaful), one of the largest providers in Saudi Arabia, surged 353.18% y-o-y to SAR328.06m ($87.5m) in 2023 from SAR72.39m.
 


UAE: Sukoon offers to buy remaining 6.95% of shares in Ascana

Sukoon Insurance Company (Sukoon) has announced that it has obtained the necessary approvals from the regulatory authorities to submit an offer to the remaining shareholders of Arabian Scandinavian Insurance Company – Takaful (ASCANA).