Major Pan-Arab Insurance Conference concludes today

The Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA), which is hosting the Pan-Arab region's largest and most important insurance industry event, welcomed over 1,400 of the insurance industry's elites, spanning over 60 nationalities.

Layth Al Sabagh from al Wathba Insurance was the second winner of the GAIF Essay Competition which was announced yesterday. The winner won free conference registration, business class round-trip airfare to Bahrain, and US $5000 in cash. The essay topics were the "Applicability of the European Union (EU) insurance regulations to the Arab markets and the modifications needed for adapting them"

"Main factors likely to influence the Arab insurance markets in the coming years"

The final day of the biennial Conference agenda comprises the discussion of the results of an online insurance survey, delegates in the sessions answering questions put to them through voting machines and the GAIF Official Business and Closing Ceremony. Today's luncheon is hosted by the Arab War Risks Insurance Syndicate, while the Networking Zone is sponsored by Assicurazioni Generali. Trust Insurance & Re-Insurance is hosting the concluding Gala Dinner at the Gulf Hotel's Al Dana Ballroom, in a ceremony which marks both the closing of the Conference, and the launch of Trust's new corporate identity.

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.