Magazine

Read the latest edition of AIR and MEIR as an Interactive e-book

Feb 2015

News


Asia: Asian insurers look to higher-yielding private assets - BlackRock

The shaky economic recovery around the world is eroding profitability for Asian insurers, prompting them to take on more investment risk, particularly in private asset classes, to improve yield, said Mr David Lomas, Head of BlackRock's Global Financial Institutions Group.

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Asia: Business interruption & supply chain is top risk concern in Asia Pacific - Allianz Risk Barometer

Across the Asia Pacific region, companies continued to be concerned about Business interruption & supply chain (42%), Natural catastrophes (34%) and Fire & explosion (25%) as these topped the risk rankings again in the latest fourth annual Allianz Risk Barometer.

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Asia: Cyclone Hudhud is world's most costly disaster in 2014

Cyclone Hudhud, which lashed eastern India and Nepal last October was the most expensive natural catastrophe event in terms of overall loss in the world last year, according to Munich Re, in a review of natural catastrophes in 2014. The loss caused by the cyclone was US$7 billion.

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Australia: Sydney siege officially designated a terrorist attack

With the declaration of the December 2014 Sydney café siege as a terrorist event, businesses affected by the event were able to file insurance claims and be eligible for payouts.

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China: Fosun to acquire Meadowbrook Insurance in US

Fosun International Ltd and Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc have entered into a definitive agreement under which Fosun will acquire Meadowbrook for US$8.65 per share in cash, representing an aggregate transaction value of approximately US$433 million.

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Booming time for China's aviation industry

China's aviation industry is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, with a recent report estimating that by 2020, China's demand for utility aircraft will hit 10,000, of which 6,000 will be piston-powered, 2,000 turboprop, 500 business jet, 1,000 helicopters, and 500 "others", said XL Group.

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RMS assists China Re's expansion into London market

RMS, a leading catastrophe risk management firm, has said it is expanding its business relationship with the China Reinsurance Group (China Re) to further the reinsurer's efforts to cultivate its presence outside of China.

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Hong Kong insurers need to prepare for RBC framework

Towers Watson has encouraged insurers to start preparing for the Quantitative Impact Study (QIS) exercise that will take place during the next phase of development in the preparation for a new Risk-Based Capital (RBC) framework for the insurance industry in Hong Kong.

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IRDA adds "of India" to official name

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has changed its name to Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India.

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Indonesian insurers set aside US$70 mln for AirAsia crash compensation

The insurers of budget airline Indonesia AirAsia have prepared IDR300 billion (US$23.61 million) as a standby fund to be paid to the families of 155 passengers on board AirAsia Flight QZ8501 and an additional US$46 million for the aircraft.

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Korean Re looking to set up Lloyd's unit

Korean Re has indicated that it is keen to establish a subsidiary in Lloyd's in London this year, reported BusinessKorea.

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Generali enters Malaysian P&C market with purchase of MPIB

Generali has entered into an agreement with Multi-Purpose Capital Holdings Bhd - a wholly owned subsidiary of the Malaysian group headed by MPHB Capital - to acquire a 49% stake in its P&C insurance subsidiary, Multi-Purpose Insurans Berhad (MPIB), for a consideration of EUR81.4 million (US$94.15 million).

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Malaysia: Flood damage to public infrastructure estimated at US$560 mln

Public infrastructure damage caused by the floods is estimated at MYR2 billion (US$560 million), according to International Trade and Industry Minister, Mr Mustapa Mohamed.

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Nepal: First reinsurance company commences operations

Nepal Reinsurance Co Ltd (NRCL), Nepal's first reinsurance company, has started operation.

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Pakistan: National Rural Support Program (NRSP)'s insurance innovation helps reduce child labour

A low-cost insurance innovation for the very low-income households in Hyderabad, Sindh, has been successful in limiting child labour, reported Dawn.com.

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Philippines: Tropical storm Mekkhala cuts short Pope Francis' visit to Tacloban

Tropical storm Mekkhala had battered Tacloban last month with winds of up to 130km/h and cut short Pope Francis' visit to the city.

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PartnerRe establishes wholly owned subsidiary in Singapore

Partner Reinsurance Asia Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of PartnerRe Ltd, has been licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to operate as a non-life and life reinsurer, capitalised in Singapore.

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Sri Lanka: IBSL issues licences to seven insurers

The Insurance Board of Sri Lanka (IBSL) has granted licences to seven new insurance companies to commence business operations from the 1st of January 2015.

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Thailand: LeapFrog and Lombard to invest in Thailand's SMK Insurance

LeapFrog Investments and Lombard Investments will each acquire approximately 11% of Syn Mun Kong Insurance Public Co Ltd (SMK), from Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc. Founded in 1951, SMK is Thailand's second largest automobile insurer and fifth largest general insurer.