27th GAIF Conference opens today under the patronage of H.H. the Prime Minister

The Pan-Arab region's largest and most important insurance industry event takes place from 26-28 February 2008, and has drawn over 1,400 insurance and financial sector elites spanning over 60 nationalities.

Walk-in registrations will take place at the Gulf Hotel's Conference centre from 8am this morning.

The Opening Ceremony takes place at 9am, under the patronage of H.H. the Prime Minister, and opening speeches will be given by: H.E. Rasheed M. Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain; Mr. Abdul Khaliq R. Khalil, Secretary General, GAIF; Mr. Suleiman Al Hassan, President, GAIF; and Mr. Sameer Al Wazzan, Chairman, Conference Steering Committee.

Day One of the Conference agenda comprises the Official Opening Ceremony of the GAIF Exhibition by H.E. Mr. Al Maraj, in addition to the appointment of the new GAIF President and Special Committee Members. The first debate, which will be in Arabic, will discuss "Are regional underwriting pools the way forward for integrating Arab insurance markets". This debate will be moderated by Mr. Joseph Zakhour, Joseph Zakhour & Co (Beirut). Panelists are Mr. Tayseer Treky, Deputy General Manager, Arab Reinsurance Company (Beirut); Mr. Bassam Chilmeran, General Manager, Al Wathba National Insurance (Abu Dhabi); Mr. Salah Eddine El-Kadiri, Managing Director, Guy Carpenter (London); Mr. Gamal Hamza, Ex-Chairman, Egypt Re (Cairo); Dr. Abdul Zahra Ali, General Manager, National General Insurance (Dubai); and Mr. Georges Zeineh, Chief Executive, General Reinsurance Services (Beirut).

The CBB will be hosting the Conference lunch, Bahrain National Insurance (BNI) is sponsoring the Networking Zone; whereas a Gala Dinner will be hosted by Arab Insurance Group at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

The GAIF Conference has secured solid local and regional backing, including the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) as 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 Arab Insurance Group, Nasco Karaoglan, Mapfre Asistencia, Medgulf, Trust International, Arab War Risks Insurance Syndicate (AWRIS), Bahrain National Insurance, Central Bank of Bahrain, Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company, Doha Insurance Company, Assicurazioni Generali and Willis.

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

The Official Pen sponsor is Standard & Poor's; ZAIN is the Communications Sponsor; and Gulf Air is the official carrier of the conference.