Middle East
Zurich exits general insurance in Middle East
From today Zurich will no longer write business in the Middle East for non-life insurance.
Qatar Insurance Company sees GWP rise 20%
Qatar Insurance Company posted gross written premiums of $1.48bn (£965m) for the first nine months of 2015, a 20% increase on its prior year result.
Alan Corney handed Lockton MENA role
Lockton has named Alan Corney as regional retail CEO for the Middle East and North Africa.
Cobalt selected as ‘insurer of preference’ for Paramount Resort
Shariah-compliant managing general agent Cobalt Underwriting has been selected as the preferred insurer for the £3bn London Paramount Entertainment Resort in Kent, Post can reveal.
Lifting of Iranian sanctions piques interest from German and French insurers
German and French insurance companies are ready to build bridges with Iran after the former pariah state struck a historic nuclear deal with six world powers, according to reports emanating from the Middle East.
Peak Re targets non-Asian markets with underwriting appointment
Railovy Boyer, former head of property and casualty pricing actuarial at Partner Re Paris, has joined Peak Re as director for underwriting.
Harris Balcombe appointed to resolve war zone pipeline dispute
Harris Balcombe has been appointed by Korea Gas Corporation to resolve a pipeline construction loss in Iraq that is reinsured in the London market.
IGI targets untapped Middle East and African markets at it plots UK growth
International Insurance Group will eschew the saturated markets of Northern Europe and the United States as it looks to build its London operation, according to CEO Andreas Loucaides.
International: Microinsurance: Starting small
How will the new microinsurance incubator launched by the World Economic Forum impact on lower-income communities, and what are other insurers doing to cater for this group?
One in 10 car deaths linked to alcohol, says WHO
Following a study, the World Health Organisation has said one in every 10 car deaths is linked to alcohol.
Lloyd's appoints Mark Cooper as first Dubai country manager
Lloyd's has appointed Mark Cooper to lead the market's new operation in the Dubai International Financial Centre effective February 2015.
60% of insurers planning to divest by 2017
More than half of insurers are planning to complete sales by the start of 2017, according to a study from Towers Watson, up from just 20% saying the equivalent last year.
Renewable energy: An ill wind?
If a recent Swiss Re report is to be believed, investment in renewable energy is set to skyrocket in the coming years – so why do insurers seem wary of taking on the sector’s risks?
Brokerslink expands Eastern European and African footprint
Brokerslink has expanded its Eastern European and African presence and has announced the incorporation of its holding company.
Zensar targets Middle East with Agile partnership
Global software provider Zensar is partnering with Agile Financial Technologies as it ramps up its Middle East presence.
Lloyd’s set to benefit from increased investment as eastern markets mature
Analysts say eastern interest is ‘clearly a trend’ after completion of several deals
Zurich appoints Smith as Malaysia CEO
Zurich has appointed Philip Smith to the position of chief executive of Zurich Insurance Malaysia.
Markel applies for trade credit license in Dubai
Specialist insurer Markel is hoping to receive a license to offer trade credit insurance in Dubai by the end of 2014.
Guy Carpenter appoints head of EMEA & international P&I
Guy Carpenter has appointed Simon Smith as head of international protection and indemnity as well as overseeing the Europe, Middle East and Asia region.
AGCS appoints sernior CMT and cyber underwriter
Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty has appointed Graeme King as the senior underwriter responsible for communications media and technology and cyber.
XL Group extends Shariah compliant capacity to financial lines
XL Group has extended its Shariah compliant capacity to financial lines products across financial institutions, professional indemnity and management liability.
Super tall building construction shifting East, says Allianz
Super tall buildings once the preserve of the US have been springing up across Asia and the Middle East and they are becoming taller.
Isis Iraq insurgency set to push rates up amid fears unrest could spread
Extremist group’s actions have led to evacuation enquiries from oil and gas firms
Makhoul appointed as executive chairman for Marsh MENA
Marsh has appointed Robert Makhoul as executive chairman for Marsh Middle East and North Africa.