emerging markets News

Gasoline Imports Easier to Insure than Crude Exports in Post-Sanctions Iran

Major oil firms and trade houses are gradually resuming energy trading with Iran but efforts remain very cautious and often face huge legal obstacles, meaning a post-sanctions return to full-scale activity will take weeks if not months. Trading sources told …

Insurance Placement Difficulties Delay Iranian Crude Exports to Europe

Efforts by Iran to start exporting oil to Europe are being held up as foreign tanker owners are still struggling to secure insurance for cargoes, leading shipping players said on Tuesday. A nuclear deal between world powers and Iran earlier …

Global Insurers Explore Opportunities in Iran; Market Worth Premiums of $7.4B

Global insurance firms are circling Iran for business opportunities following the lifting of sanctions – and the first test of their appetite could come in March when some Iranian companies seek new cover. Insurers, the reinsurers that share their risk …

XL Catlin Applies for License to Open Reinsurance Branch in India

XL Catlin announced it has begun the licensing process to establish a reinsurance branch in India. The decision to pursue market entry into India aligns with XL Catlin’s strategy of establishing a presence in emerging and developing markets where economic …

QBE Insurance Opens Kuala Lumpur Office to Boost Malaysia Business Prospects

QBE Insurance Malaysia has opened a new office in the heart of Kuala Lumper city, expanding the company’s branch network in the country to a total of 15 locations, across eight states. QBE Insurance Malaysia, which is part of the …

Emerging Markets Are Growth Engines for Re/Insurance Industry: Swiss Re Report

The global economy is expected to strengthen moderately next year, which will support insurance premium growth in most regions, according to Swiss Re’s latest publication titled “Global insurance review 2015 and outlook 2016/17.” Demand for non-life insurance is expected to …

Emerging Economies to Face Difficult Stress Test: Willis Political Risk Index

“Syria, Venezuela and Zimbabwe top a list of 40 politically risky territories and destinations for foreign investment,” according to a report from Willis Group Holdings. The findings appear in the latest edition of the Willis Political Risk Index, which is …

Pension, Insurance & Sovereign Funds Scale Back Emerging Markets’ Investments

Big pension, insurance and sovereign funds may be scaling back investments in emerging markets amid disappointing returns and a darkening outlook for the sector. These deep-pocketed funds — global pension assets alone are worth over $35 trillion — are relatively …

A.M. Best: European Insurers Continue Emerging Markets’ Growth – with Caution

In an attempt to deploy excess capital, some major European insurers have developed overseas operations over the past several years but are now taking a more cautious approach, as not all overseas strategies have proven successful, according to a new …

Tokio Marine to Use Citic for China Growth, as It Steps Up Overseas Expansion

Tokio Marine Holdings Inc., fresh from its biggest acquisition in the U.S., is now looking for opportunities in China. The insurer plans to utilize its ties with Citic Group Corp., China’s biggest conglomerate, to expand in the country, Tsuyoshi Nagano, …