Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) chief executive Khalid Al Rumaihi will be a keynote speaker at the upcoming 13th Annual Middle East Insurance Forum (MEIF 2017), the region’s largest and longest running industry event.

The forum being held under the patronage of the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) on February 20 and 21.
 
Al Rumaihi, who will address participants at MEIF’s opening session, is taking part in the event as part of the EDB’s efforts to support sectors with the biggest contributions to the growth of Bahrain’s economy such as financial services, said a statement.
 
The EDB has identified a number of key sectors where Bahrain provides particular competitive advantages to investors. Included is the financial services industry, where Bahrain’s history as a financial hub with a mature single regulator means that investors are able to benefit from the over 40 years of experience accumulated in the kingdom. The financial services sector is now the second largest contributor to the GDP of Bahrain and the kingdom plays host to a number of leading institutions in the field.  
 
Al Rumaihi said: “Bahrain is proud to host the Middle East Insurance Forum, an event which further highlights Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for knowledge sharing and thought leadership in the financial services sector. I am looking forward to speaking at the event and exchanging ideas with other industry leaders.”
 
The forum is expected to attract participation from more than 400 global and regional insurance and takaful leaders and experts. This includes high level dignitaries, central bank representatives, economists, thought leaders, researchers and academics.
 
Over the course of the two-day event, expert industry speakers and panelists will also discuss a range of topics including:  
* Industry consolidation through mergers and acquisitions;
* The role of insurance companies in current Health Services reforms
* Financial technology development in the insurance industry
* Challenges facing the Takaful industry  
* The implication of the introduction of VAT in the regional markets

Other highlights of MEIF 2017 will be a ceremony honouring the “Best Insurance Company in the Mena Region”. In partnership with the CBB, the forum will recognise extraordinary achievements in the industry by awarding the prestigious prize to the most outstanding regional insurer for the past year.

Nominations are now open to all insurance players servicing the GCC, Mena and Levant regions and with minimum banking assets of $15 million. Submissions will be accepted until February 5. - TradeArabia News Service