From Editor-in-Chief

IAIS evolving to meet members' needs

Mr Walid Genadry, Insurance Commissioner of Lebanon speaks about his involvement with the International Association of Insurance Supervisors' Education Sub-committee and how it is meeting the needs of its members.

A conduit for Shariah-compliant capacity

The first Shariah-compliant underwriting capacity from the London market was made available just months ago through the launch of Cobalt Underwriting. CEO Richard Bishop tells Middle East Insurance Review why its model is unique, and what is in...

Takaful to drive growth

Oman has one of the most promising insurance sectors in the GCC. Having grown 18% in 2012, it is poised to expand further with three new takaful companies set to enter the market, as well as the possibility of consolidation following new capital...

Oman Re shapes up to become proximity player

Following leadership changes, Oman Re has put together a new team and new strategies to be a major player in the region. We speak to the company's CEO, Mr Abdallah Badaoui, on the company's renewed vision and plans.

Interview with regulator - Steering the industry's course

In this exclusive interview, HE Abdullah Salem Al Salmi, Executive President of the Capital Market Authority, discusses current market trends, and why the regulatory body is looking for additional market development before approving takaful windows.

Personal lines: Personal insurance - now with more options

Mr Alexis de Beauregard of AXA Insurance (Gulf) looks at the demand for the main personal insurance lines and the prospects for the market.

Personal lines: Business as usual - only more of it

The demand for insurance in the region is growing, but the need for intermediated and advised purchase of personal protection or long-term savings products will remain, says Mr Peter Ellen of Nexus Insurance Brokers.

MENA reinsurance - A cry for compatibility

Capacity is getting scarcer with reinsurers becoming more selective, says Mr Krish Prabhakar of Ghazal Insurance as he calls on reinsurers to adopt a more targeted approach and develop results-oriented underwriting.

New capacity, new opportunities in MENA

New reinsurance capacity, a shift in underwriting and opportunities in infrastructure are shaping the emerging insurance and reinsurance market in the Middle East, says Ms Nathalie Zaatar of Aon Benfield Middle East.

CAT modelling in the UAE

New earthquake models can help insurers and reinsurers quantify their exposure to seismic risk, says Dr Cristina Arango of Impact Forecasting.

Claims: Managing claims and expectations in P&I

Ms Meena Mathews of GAC looks at the qualities P&I correspondents need in managing the rising claims and expectations of their customers.

Technology: The future of enterprise technology for insurance

The successful insurance provider of the future will place customer centricity at its core, and be wired to adapt and respond to customers and markets with competitive agility, says Mr Ian Cook of Oman Insurance Company.

Regulations: IAIS Annual Conference - Rallying around sustainable supervision

Financial stability and ways of building sustainable insurance supervision, as well as the move towards the first-ever global insurance capital standard, dominated discussions at the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) Annual...

South Asia: Bangladesh - Seeking a framework for growth

The eight takaful operators and 12 windows in Bangladesh now operate without any specific regulation for takaful, but draft takaful rules have recently been circulated by the regulator for feedback. Mr Kazi Md Mortuza Ali of Prime Islami Life...

South Asia: Pakistan - The untapped growth potential

Given its impressive growth rates, the takaful sector in Pakistan presents tremendous opportunities for foreign investors, says Mr Abdul Rahim Abdul Wahab.

Actuarial analysis: Tabarru - An actuary's dilemma

Mr Zainal Abidin Mohd Kassim of Actuarial Partners explores the conundrum faced by the actuary in trying to reconcile the concept of tabarru and equity in surplus distribution.

cyber risks: Rising to the cyber challenge

Specialty line covers are still in their infancy across the MENA region, but demand is growing for insurance to cover intangible risks such as data breach and cyber liability. Mr Alessandro Lezzi of Beazley asks if the insurance industry is rising...

Middle East: Laws needed to boost liability insurance growth

Legislations that regulate the professional liability of medical errors can help to boost demand for liability insurance in the region, said Mr Abdul Khaliq R Khalil, Secretary General of the General Arab Insurance Federation (GAIF) at a forum in...

EIA calls for united GCC stand in negotiating renewals

Losses in the GCC markets are acceptable, but with the increase in natural and man-made catastrophes globally, international reinsurers continue to impose tighter terms, noted Mr Saleh Bin Rashid Al Dhahiry, Chairman of the Executive Council of the...

GCC urged to adopt digital healthcare

GCC governments have been urged to implement digital technologies in the healthcare sector to increase quality and productivity. The move will also support transition to a prevention-focussed healthcare system which is the need of the hour, said a...

Losses from Haiyan to reach US$700 mln, say modellers

Insured losses from Super Typhoon Haiyan are expected to hit a maximum of US$700 million due to low insurance penetration, said risk modelling firms.

Growth and standards go hand in hand - Lloyd's Chairman

Emerging economies need not just capital, but also to establish professional standards and expertise to ensure that growth lasts, said Lloyd's Chairman John Nelson during his industry keynote address at the Singapore International Reinsurance...

Long-term prospects in Asia outweigh current challenges

The overall reinsurance business sentiment in Asia is positive, reflecting the relatively stable political environment, well-established regional reinsurance hubs and strong GDP and premium growth expectations, said the 1st Asia Reinsurance...

Takaful seeing slower growth, strains on profits - EY

Expansion of the takaful industry is slowing as firms struggle for scale and face competition, but the sector is still poised to sustain double-digit growth, said EY in a recent report.

Malaysia: BNM seeks feedback on family takaful, life insurance framework

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has launched a concept paper for public consultation on a framework that seeks to provide life insurers and family takaful operators greater operational flexibility to spur innovation and higher productivity.

Malaysia: Govt to contribute towards takaful scheme for low-income earners

The government has announced that it will contribute MYR50 (US$16) to each recipient under the Group Takaful Rakyat 1Malaysia (i-BR1M) scheme, providing protection of up to MYR30,000 in the event of death or permanent disability.

Global: Need for "realism" in Islamic finance, say regulators

There is a need to bring realism into the products provided by institutions offering Islamic financial services, said speakers at a regulators' roundtable organised by the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB)...

Milli Re hosts MICC in Istanbul

UAE: EIA turns 25

Malaysia: Trust Re marks 10 years in Labuan

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