Dubai's upcoming national health insurance system, designed to cover every employee in the Emirate, has been delayed for at least two years. Those who have found themselves priced out of private health insurance policies now face a longer wait for treatment options. The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) announced on Tuesday that they had officially postponed the implementation of compulsory health insurance…

This week, Hong Kong's chief insurance regulatory body, The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), released finalized business statistics for 2010 based on the audited returns and additional actuarial information submitted by insurance companies over the past year. The government report showed that despite recent market turmoil and global economic uncertainties, insurance sales have continued…

Global insurance power Zurich Insurance Co Ltd (Zurich) announced last week that they had closed the acquisition of the entire share capital of Malaysian composite insurer Malaysian Assurance Alliance Berhad (MAAB). From October 1, 2011 onwards the Malaysian insurer will become part of the Zurich Financial Services Group and will combining their strengths with the goal of eventually becoming the best…

Turkey may finally be realizing its potential as an important international healthcare center. Annual revenue for the Turkish medical tourism industry is expected to pass US$5 billion within 5 years, as the country's modern hospital and spa facilities begin to attract a growing number of foreign patients who are seeking cost-effective medical treatment from all over the world. The rising healthcare…

New figures released this month by Malaysia's insurance authorities have provided ample evidence of the country's continued development into one of Asia's most promising general insurance markets. Malaysia's economy grew at 7.2 percent last year, the highest rate experienced since the year 2000. The Malaysian government has continued to aggressively pursue substantial investment programs with the…

Health officials from Abu Dhabi have reissued a warning to all residents in the Emirate to maintain an up-to-date health insurance policy or else face a stiff penalty. At a conference held yesterday, the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) unveiled a new media awareness campaign that aims to publicize the activation of the Health Insurance Law No. 23 of 2005 and to further educate Gulf residents about…

While the United States' political class continues to feverishly debate the merits of government involvement in healthcare and insurance, one key demographic has seen a considerable improvement in coverage since several provisions from President Obama's contentious Affordable Care Act were put into place in 2010. According to two recently released surveys, one by the government and another by Gallup,…

This week, Europe's second largest insurer AXA selected Wasilah Insurance Agency to be its new business partner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deal comes as part of the French insurance company's plans to further develop and promote its products in the Gulf region. On September 20th 2011, AXA Cooperative Insurance Company, the French insurance company's Saudi Arabia-based shareholding company,…

A new research document released this week by ING has found that more than half of Asia's emerging middle class are planning to buy an additional insurance policy over the next 12 months due to a wide assortment of regional social and economic factors. The ING Investor Dashboard has been published for the past three years by ING Investment Management as part of their quarterly study of investor…

Whittington Group, the Singapore-based international insurance investment conglomerate, announced today that it had reached a definitive agreement to sell off its British businesses to an international consortium of specialist insurers. The move follows similar actions taken by other players in the United Kingdom insurance market, as firms look to divest stagnant business lines to finance expansion…