New entrants to boost insurance market mergers: official

Entry of new foreign insurance companies in Saudi Arabia is likely to urge the local players to seek mergers, Fahad Alshathri, Deputy Governor for Supervision at Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA), said.

“New entrants will encourage local insurers to provide better insurance services and products,” Alshathri said on the sidelines of the 5th Saudi Insurance Symposium 2019.

In December, SAMA issued monitoring as well as licensing regulations for branches of foreign insurance and re-insurance companies operating in Saudi Arabia.

Under these regulations, foreign insurance and reinsurance companies shall regularly submit reports on their financial solvency, in line with the regulatory requirements in the Kingdom.