China
People's Insurance Company of China given green light for Hong Kong IPO
The state-owned People's Insurance Company of China, one of the country's biggest insurers by premiums, received Hong Kong regulatory listing approval on Thursday for its IPO, The Wall Street Journal reported.
China to allow insurers to manage offshore yuan funds
China has agreed to allow insurers to manager offshore yuan funds, along with fund houses and brokerages, Shanghai Securities News reported.
Food liability insurance in China: a promising market yet to take off
China has recently faced a number of food scandals leading to a public outcry for safer products. Artemisia Ng investigates whether insurers have the appetite to underwrite this market.
European investors warned over hidden flood exposures in international interests
European investors in emerging markets and their insurers need to be more aware of possible exposure to flood risk, according to Swiss Re's head of flood risk.
FM Global launches free nat cat toolkit
Commercial property insurer FM Global has launched an online resource for natural hazard planning to help businesses prepare for and protect against the growing risk of catastrophes.
Top five Asian news stories
The top five Asian stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Solarif and HDI Gerling partner with LDK Solar for complete PV cover
Solar insurance and finance firm Solarif has partnered with solar photovoltaic manufacturer LDK Solar to offer customers what it claims is the first full insurance package at the system level.
EU stands firm on Iran shipping sanctions
The European Union has no intention of delaying the implementation of sanctions against ships carrying Iranian oil, and Europe could cope with any extra loss of Iranian crude exports stemming from these measures, EU Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger…
Chinese regulator gearing up to relax insurance investment restrictions
China's insurance regulator is close to outlining a policy which will expand and diversify insurers' investment scope, according to a report.
Burton to head Coface's Asia Pacific platform
Richard Burton has been appointed manager for Coface's Asia Pacific platform.
High Net Worth: Asia's growing wealthy and insurers gradually waking up to opportunities
The population of wealthy people in Asia is continuing to soar, creating significant opportunities for insurers offering premium products catering to their needs.
GM China boss predicts upturn in motor sales after slump
General Motors has claimed that the Chinese motor industry is poised to rebound from its worst four-month slump in 14 years.
ISA 2012: Chinese cool on Western insurance brands and MNC employment
The outlook for the Chinese insurance sector continues to be attractive, but international players are challenged on many fronts, such as limited geographical reach and restrictions over the way they conduct businesses.
ISA 2012: Panel discusses evolving nature of Asian insurance hubs and offices
The changing dynamics of the Asian markets with their European/American headquarters is blurring the status of offices across the continent as regional hubs or self-sufficient management centres, and the divide between a front office and a back office…
ISA 2012: Insurer bosses claim no foreign player has 'Pan-Asian edge'
As mature markets sink deeper into the eurozone crisis, Asia remains a bright spot for global insurers. That was the view of Johnny Chen, CEO of Zurich Financial Services, who told the audience at ISA 2012 yesterday that he remains positive in his firm's…
Confusion surrounds Goldman Sachs' commitment to $6bn Chinese insurer listing
The $6bn listing of the state-owned People's Insurance of China has taken on a new twist as bankers gear up for an increasingly taxing deal, it has been reported.
Lift protectionist regulations or lose foreign firms, China warned
A fifth of firms investing in China may shift future investment to other economies as a result of protectionist regulations, according to a survey by the European Chamber of Commerce in China.
Top 10 news stories
The top 10 stories from www.insuranceinsight.com last week.
ISA Countdown: Q&A with Ernst & Young's May Knight
As the last in our series counting down to Insurance Strategy Asia next week, Insurance Insight spoke to May Knight about her views on the Asian insurance market.
Stable outlook for Chinese P&C sector
The outlook for the Chinese property and casualty insurance industry is stable, according to the latest Moody's market update.
Yang Minsheng appointed chairman of China Life
China Life Insurance Group appointed Yang Mingsheng as chairman and executive director at its annual general meeting yesterday.
China banishes red tape for qualified foreign investors
China will work to speed up approvals of qualified foreign institutional investors looking to buy into its domestic securities, as part of reforms to add depth to the country's capital markets, Bloomberg News reported yesterday.
Countdown to ISA: Is the renminbi the new dollar?
As the valuation of the Chinese renminbi has an impact on the global currency markets, Andrew Leung looks at Chinese monetary policy and the Global Reserve Currency System in a global context.
Q&A with RSA's Phil Bulgin
Despite media coverage of Asia's restrictive and sometimes protectionist regulatory regimes, the markets remain appealing to foreign insurers. Philip Bulgin, RSA's head of mergers and acquisitions in emerging markets, spoke to Francesca Nyman about Asian…