Across two power-packed days, an engaged audience of over 300 key industry leaders gathered from various markets comprising the GCC, Asia, Africa, Europe & USA, witnessed critical insights unfold at the 14th edition of the World Takaful & InsurTech Conference (WTIC 2019). Convened by Middle East Global Advisors, the World Takaful & InsurTech Conference (WTIC), was held in strategic partnership with the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority and supported by the UAE Insurance Authority (IA) and the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC) on April 1- 2 at the Address Dubai Mall Hotel in Dubai. The forum spearheaded a series of discussions among policymakers, industry leaders, regulators and stakeholders addressing the theme of "Reinforcing Customer Engagement and Operational Agility through Digital Transformation". Renowned Industry Leader Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), delivered the opening keynote address at the 14th World Takaful & InsurTech Conference, and discussed the areas of development for Takaful and establishing an environment for growth. "According to the Islamic Finance Development Report 2018 by Thomson Reuters, the global takaful industry reached $46 billion in 2017. However, at just two per cent, it still remains the smallest contributor to the Islamic finance industry in terms of assets. This, despite that fact that currently close to 324 operators around the world offer Takaful. It is quite evident then that the Takaful sector has tremendous potential to expand its role in the Islamic finance industry," said Al Awar. The conference also witnessed a keynote address by Hamad Darwish, Business Development Manager, Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB). Darwish explained how the credit bureau could support insurance companies to better manage their receivables and offer customized pricing to low risk customers. Insurance innovations was a central theme at WTIC 2019 and it witnessed an exclusive one-on-one interview on identifying innovation opportunities with Zia Zaman, Chief Executive Officer, LumenLab & Chief Innovation Officer, MetLife Asia - one of the most notable figures in this space, that was hosted by Dr. Basel Hindawi, Chief Executive Officer, DIFC Insurance Association (DIFC IA). The conference also spearheaded an exclusive one-on-one interview on undertaking business transformation by integrating innovative technological solutions with Reena Vivek, Chief Operating Officer, Zurich International. "I am excited to be a part of the 2019 World Takaful & InsurTech Conference. I'm curious to explore innovative insights from our peers, practitioners and regulators that will help us to drive our industry forward. We must embrace new ideas to deliver superior customer experiences. Ultimately, it's about connectivity, being more connected to our customers, and technology can enable us to connect. Sometimes it's the smallest thing that will have the biggest impact," said Ms. Vivek. Speaking as part of the panel on calibrating leapfrog strategies for TakafTech, InsurTech and Innovations in claims and healthcare insurance, Fatou Assah, Manager, Finance, Competitiveness & Innovation, World Bank Group, said "recently in Africa & Asia, InsurTech has helped accessing the unbanked and uninsured, especially low-income population living in rural areas, through mobile phone technologies or e-vouchers. The use of satellite data or drones in product design and claim processes have also significantly helped the insurance industry address some key challenges. We are excited to have participated in the 14th World Takaful & InsurTech Conference and learn about innovations that might be applicable to developing countries." A key highlight of the two-day conference was the launch of Milliman Monitor 2018 UAE insurance report by Safder Jaffer, Managing Director & Principal, Milliman. The Milliman Monitor captures the overall and company specific financial results for the year ending 2018 for all publicly listed Takaful and conventional players in the UAE. It not only provides a top-line analysis, but also a bottom-line financial performance of the Insurance and Takaful industry in the UAE, whilst also providing insights into the reasons for the strong performance of the industry as a whole. Speaking on behalf of WTIC 2019's Platinum Partner, Parvaiz Siddiq, Chief Executive Officer, SALAMA Islamic Arab Insurance Co, said, "It is important for global industry practitioners to converge at platforms like the World Takaful & InsurTech Conference where they can deliberate on key industry pain-points and gaps and identify new growth opportunities whilst coming up with a clear and effective road-map for the future. This year's WTIC focused on addressing the key issue of customer engagement and operational agility through digital transformation. As a leader in the field of Shariah-compliant solutions, and owing to the massive disruption in the market, it becomes all the more critical to discuss the importance of developing competitive and diverse Takaful solutions that meet the ever-changing market demands – a topic I was happy to contribute my insights to at this year's edition. SALAMA is pleased to support the forum as it's Platinum Partner." The two-day forum was moderated by Dr. Alberto Brugnoni, Founding & Managing Partner, ASSAIF and Mohammed Tarmidzi Ahmad Nordin, Independent Non Executive Director, BIMB Holdings Berhad. Other key highlights from the conference included thought leadership by Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, who offered his insights on building an insurance ecosystem and connecting conventional insurers and reinsurers with new technologies; an exclusive Product Showcase Innovators Session featuring innovative products and solutions by Hands On Systems, Owners of Aktuaris and Merimen; exclusive Regulators' Rendezvous whereby insurance regulators from U.A.E. Insurance Authority, Bank Negara Malaysia, Central Bank of Bahrain & Capital Market Authority shared the best regulatory mandates and practices for the industry to unleash its full potential whilst maintaining compliance; CEOs Panel on revolutionizing a traditional industry and driving insurance penetration and distribution in emerging markets by adapting to an array of industry challenges, featuring insights from leaders from SALAMA Islamic Arab Insurance Co, Dar Al Takaful, Gargash Insurance Services and National Takaful Company P.S.C - Watania; an insightful Audit Session on IFRS17 by FIS Global, Presentation on Streamlining aggregators' regulations for better governance that can influence the decision-making process of consumers by Jonathan Rawling, Chief Financial Officer, yallacompare and the World Takaful & Insurance Huddle - a congregation of global Takaful leaders to exchange viewpoints on addressing challenges and issues that will better position the industry to reach mass markets and achieve organic growth and development. — SG
