From Editor-in-Chief

EFSA: Strengthening Egypt's insurance market

The Egyptian Financial Supervisory Authority (EFSA) is putting in place comprehensive measures to help the insurance sector grow at faster rates and actively contribute to the national economy, says Dr Mohamed Ahmed Maait, Deputy Chairman. By...

ISKAN Insurance: Adapting to the times

The challenges of recent years has made it necessary for ISKAN Insurance to adopt a conservative approach, but it is now consolidating its position in the market, said Mr Hammam Badr, Chairman and CEO.

Market needs a stronger foundation

Weak regulatory oversight has plagued Kuwait's insurance sector for too long, but operators have also failed to tackle the market's shortcomings and upgrade industry standards.

Leading insurers strengthen position despite competition

Larger insurers in Kuwait are benefiting from strong technical performance and branding, but medium-sized insurers struggle to create a presence, say Messrs Mahesh Mistry and Salman Siddiqui of A.M. Best.

Propelling the industry forward

Education and focussing on the retail sector can help overcome the challenges faced in Kuwait's insurance market, says Mr Andrew Smith of RAK Insurance who had served in the market before.

Political violence: ISIS crisis puts pressure on market

Recent developments have pushed up the region's political violence and terrorism rates, but the extent varies even within Iraq. Underwriters discuss the availability of capacity, the difficulties faced on the ground, and how the market has reacted...

Healthcare: Do health insurance premiums require control?

Mr Robin Ali of the Dubai Health Authority looks at the implications of unregulated health insurance premiums, and how different rating methodologies might help tackle the issues.

Healthcare: Health insurance for all Qataris

The National Health Insurance Scheme (seha) expanded to all Qatari nationals for a full range of healthcare services, with the newly established National Health Insurance Company (NHIC) leading the implementation. Drs Faleh Mohamed Hussein Ali and...

Healthcare: Health insurance in Saudi Arabia - Growing under watchful regulations

Saudi Arabia's private health insurance market is one of the most robust in the Middle East. Dr Dennis Sebastian of RGA Reinsurance Company Middle East looks at how upcoming new regulations might impact that market's growth.

Regulations: Towards a modern regulatory framework

Ms Daphne Au of AIG discusses recent developments in regulatory frameworks for insurance markets in the Middle East.

Regulations: Compliance trends and the impact on insurance

Mr David Cafferty of Kane LPI Solutions MENA takes a look at the implications of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), virtual currency and anti-money laundering for insurance executives and their compliance officers.

Regulations: Building on the legacy

The newly established Insurance Administration of Jordan gives an update on its responsibilities and the performance of the sector it is now supervising.

UAE takaful market to benefit from regulatory changes

Regulatory changes in the UAE, when implemented, will improve the credit profile of its takaful market and aid market stability and transparency, says Mr Mohammed Ali Riyazuddin Londe of Moody's.

Bancatakaful: Gaining competitive advantage through bancatakaful

Leveraging Islamic wealth management to promote bancatakaful gives banks the competitive edge, says Ms Nur Ain Ramli of Bank Muamalat Malaysia.

Bancatakaful: A successful dimension of takaful distribution

Customer centricity, flexible products and convenient processes are some of the key success factors for bancatakaful, says Mr Muhammad Owais Ansari of FWU Global Takaful Solutions.

Regulations: Wave of regulatory reform reaches Malaysia's takaful market

More than a year after the Islamic Financial Services Act was introduced, Malaysia's takaful operators are placing more attention on their strategies and procedures, says Mr Manjit Singh of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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

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.

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.

Monte Carlo: Moderate growth expected despite pricing pressures

Despite the relative pessimism on pricing and the increased risk retention by ceding companies, global reinsurers at Monte Carlo Rendez-vous expressed optimism of a moderate growth for property & casualty and Nat CAT cover in the medium term.

Climate change could sting reinsurers that under-estimate its impact - S&P

Reinsurers could be underestimating their exposure to catastrophe losses resulting from climate change by an average of about 50%, said Standard & Poor's (S&P) in a study.

GCC takaful contributions to reach US$8.9 billion in 2014 - EY

Gross takaful contributions in the GCC are estimated to reach around US$8.9 billion this year, a 13% increase from an estimated $7.9 billion in 2013, said a report by EY.

GCC's low insurance penetration gives Malaysia headstart in takaful - S&P

Although the Gulf is the largest takaful market, takaful has not truly flourished in any of the six GCC states, even if the Saudi market is considered wholly takaful, said Standard & Poor's (S&P) in a report.

SALAMA setting up life JV in Egypt

SALAMA UAE will be taking a majority stake in a planned family takaful joint venture (JV) in Egypt, subject to regulatory approval, said Mr Sami Sharif, General Manager, General & Health Takaful and Assistant Group CEO in an interview with Middle...

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