The Insurance Knowledge Workshop, organised on March 2 at Crowne Plaza Qurum, attracted over 120 participants.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Finance and Capital Market Authority. The event was powered by Dhofar Insurance Company with Oman Reinsurance Company and Arab Loss Adjusters as the support sponsors. Over 18 industry leaders addressed the audience comprising the professionals from the insurance industry as well as a cross-section of the ministries and government bodies.

The niche knowledge platform facilitated an exchange of information on the updates in insurance regulations, importance of complying with those regulations, the best practices and new products in various kinds of insurance services, exploring new opportunities for collaboration between regulatory authorities, insurance companies and their clients especially from the government side.

Musallam Mahad Qatan, Director General – Revenue, Ministry of Finance delivered the welcome address. It was followed by the keynote address by Omar Al-Shaikh, Deputy CEO, Dhofar Insurance Company and a talk by Noor Al Deen Abdul Rahman Ismail, Insurance Consultant. Later on Ahmed Salem Abdullah Al Harrasi, Director of the Compliance and Inspection Department, Capital Market Authority talked on CMA’s role in organizing and developing the insurance sector. For the benefit of the audience, Mehdi Salim Al Harthi, General Manager – Retail, Dhofar Insurance Company made a presentation on the introduction to insurance with a special reference to medical insurance.

Thereafter, in an interactive panel discussion, the industry experts comprising Kashif Arshad Khan, Senior Underwriter – Commercial Lines, Dhofar Insurance Company; Mohammed Shariq Khan, Manager – Non Motor Claims, Dhofar Insurance Company; Eng. Mutasiem Hani, Branch Manager Oman, Arab Loss Adjusters; Noor Al Deen Abdul Rahman Ismail, Consultant; Bashar Raoof, Head of Business Development, Oman Re; and Khalfan Al Rahbi, Editor-in-Chief, Alam al-Iktisaad Wal A’mal debated on the topic ‘Principles and procedures for insurance claims’.

In a presentation, Taibah Al Shamsi, Director – Medical Insurance Supervision Department, Capital Market Authority made a presentation on ‘Dhamani’ (Compulsory Private Health Insurance System). It was followed by a presentation from Ali Al Balushi, Deputy Underwriter, Oman Re on the basic concepts of reinsurance and Khalid Al Jishi, Operations Director, Arab Loss Adjustors on risk management and commercial insurance claims.

The workshop culminated with a panel discussion the importance of health insurance for society involving industry experts including Sunil Kohli, CEO, Dhofar Insurance; Gurvir Man Singh, Head – Life & Medical, Dhofar Insurance Company; Taibah Al Shamsi, Director – Medical Insurance Supervision Department, Capital Market Authority; Hamad Al Harthy, Assistant Underwriter, Oman Re; Khalid Al Jishi, Operations Director, Arab Loss Adjustors; and Mayank Singh, Group Editor & Director-Business Operations, United Media Services (UMS). The event was managed by United Media Services (UMS).