(MENAFN- Arab Times) KUWAIT CITY March 31: Gulf Insurance Group (GIG) the leading insurance provider in Kuwait and the Middle East held its 53rd ordinary general assembly meeting. The group announced that it achieved a net profit KD 12 million ($41 million) equivalent to 66.42 fils per share for the year ended in 12/31/2014 reflecting a double digit growth rise of 17.6 percent compared with profit KD 10.2 million ($34.8 million) for the same period last year. The Group was successful in establishing a new Life Insurance Company in Algeria with a 42.5 per cent share.
During its Shafafiyah forum the Group presented a review for 2014 results and outlook for 2015 to shareholders financial analysts and investors. The forum was held after the Group's ordinary general assembly meeting which approved to distribute 33 percent cash dividend (33 fils per share) for the year ended Dec 31 2014. Commenting on the group results during 2014 GIG's Group Chief Executive Officer Khaled Al Hasan Said 'GIG continues to maintain its strong and leading position across the local and regional markets for the 14th consecutive year in terms of gross written premiums. The Group is rated with A-/Stable outlook from Standard & Poor's and A-/Positive outlook from AMBest.' 'Regionally GIG occupies an advanced position in terms of gross premiums written and technical profits. The Group maintained its leadership position in the Bahraini market through our subsidiary Bahrain Kuwait Insurance Company in Jordan through Arab Orient Insurance Company in terms of gross premiums written and in Egypt in terms of technical profit through Arab Misr Insurance Group (AMIG). Furthermore our subsidiaries have maintained their ratings obtained from AM Best.' He added: 'During 2014 GIG was successful in restructuring our subsidiary in Kuwait Gulf Life Insurance Company to operate as composite insurer and successfully changed the company's name to be 'Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Company'. Moreover it renewed the combined reinsurance program for the parent and subsidiaries. We have also increased our stake in Arab Orient Insurance Company in Jordan to reach 90.2 percent while also increasing our stake in Syrian Kuwaiti Insurance Company to reach 54.3 percent and in our associated company Egyptian Takaful Property and Liability to reach 25 percent.' 'The Group has achieved an outstanding growth and remarkable results despite the exceptional circumstances and political situations in some Arab countries. The Group has achieved double-digit growth in the total investment portfolio which grew by 12 percent with amount of KD 22.6 million ($77.1 million). The total investment portfolio reached KD 212.5 million ($725.4 million) at the end of 2014 Moreover; both of the net investment return grew by 14.7 percent to reach KD 11.8 million ($40.5 million) compared with KD 10.3 million ($35.3 million) last year and gross written premiums grew by 11 percent to reach KD 173.6 million ($592.7 million) increased by KD 16.6 million ($56.5 million)'. 'The Group's net technical reserves increased by KD 8.9 million ($30.5 million) with growth of 9.1 percent to reach KD 106.8 million ($364.6 million) at the end of 2014 compared with KD 97.9 million ($334.1 million) at Dec 31 2013 which aims to sustain the group's operational activities as well as to protect the policyholders' rights to ultimately strengthen GIG's ability to cover emergencies and risks that may rise in the future'. Commenting on group outlook for 2015 Al Hasan also said: 'The Group is working intensity to meet customers' needs and requirements exceed their expectations and maintain our leadership position in key markets we operate in. We continue through perseverance and commitment to excel to work towards improving our position across the Arab insurance sector while achieving strong growth rates in the coming years and preserve the interests of our shareholders customers and our employees.' He also added: 'GIG will continue to seek the best investment opportunities to widen its expansion regionally by the support of KIPCO Projects Company and Fairfax Financial Holding Ltd. Which I would like to thank all of them for their permanent support and cooperation. Moreover; the group will continue the extensive work to improve career path plans for the employees to strengthen their technical capabilities and experiences. We also aim at developing marketing plans and campaigns and promote distribution channels and sales with an overall objective of improving the credit rating of our companies.' 'On this occasion I would like to thank all our respectable customers shareholders employees brokers and reinsurers for their trust and continuous support.'
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