The MENA region has been experiencing tremendous economic growth over the past few years, which has impacted the demand for insurance across Arab insurance markets. As a result, some existing insurance companies increased their capital base, widened their product range and expanded beyond their local boundaries to meet growing clients’ requirements. Yet, there were others who preferred to set-up new their own insurance companies, backed by abundant fresh capital, more sophisticated organizational structures and a determination to compete heads on with the more established names. In the midst of all of this, Arab regulators have, by and large, been proactive seeking reforms in the insurance sector, introducing more stringent compliance measures and heeding to requests for globalization and open-boarder markets.

It is therefore timely that the theme chosen for the GAIF 2008 is:


Unlike previous gatherings, the content and style of the conference has been substantially overhauled in order to be intellectually challenging. Lectures have been replaced with stimulating debates by a panel of renowned industry figures; a written essay competition has been introduced; online interactive surveys will be conducted; and networking opportunities have deliberately been elaborated and slotted in the conference.