1,000 top insurance professionals to attend Bahrain's largest conference

The event is being held in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the patronage of H.H. the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, on 26-28 February 2008.

Ashraf Bseisu, Chairman of the Bahrain Insurance Association, the official host of the conference, stated that the current participants' profile is so diverse that it covers over 50 countries from across the Globe from insurance, financial services and other related disciplines. "This conference is drawing huge interest, especially from outside the region. It is building up to be one of the largest conferences held in Bahrain".

The biennial international Conference—widely regarded as the Arab World's most important insurance industry event—falls under the theme "Towards A more Integrated Arab Insurance Market", and also comprises a three-day exhibition, whereby companies will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to the Pan-Arab insurance and financial services sector.

The GAIF Conference has secured solid local and regional backing, including the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) at the primary supporter. The event's lead Sponsor is the Arab Insurance Group (Arig) and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) is the Strategic Partner.

Gold sponsors include Bahrain National Insurance, AON Middle East, AXA Insurance, Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF), Solidarity, Swiss Re and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Silver Sponsors include Takaful International, Crescent Global Insurance Services, KPMG Fakhro, The Chartered Insurance Institute and Ernst & Young; and Bahrain credit is a Bronze sponsor.

Function sponsors include Nasco Karaoglan, Medgulf, Trust International, Arab War Risks Insurance Syndicate (AWRIS), Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company, Doha Insurance Company, and Willis.

Media sponsors are: Al Bayan, Al Morakeb Al Inmai, Insure, Investors Magazine, Middle East Insurance Review and POLICY Magazine.

ZAIN is sponsoring the designated wi-max zone, and Gulf Air is the official carrier of the conference.