Bahrain: Loss events, overcapacities in the reinsurance market and lower investment returns resulted in a US$ 4.4 million loss to the Arig Group for the year 2015 (2014: profit of US$ 15.6 million). Parent company Arig and its corporate member at Lloyd’s generated gains of US$ 2.1 million from underwriting activities (2014: US$ 14.3 million) whereas Takaful Re, a subsidiary of Arig, produced a loss of US$ 1.3 million (2014: loss of US$ 8.3 million) to the Group. Investment returns reached US$ 14.3 million but were down 30% year-on-year (2014: US$ 20.5 million) as markets declined towards the end of 2015.

The Group’s net result for the fourth quarter 2015 alone was a loss of US$ 5.8 million (Q4 2014: profit of US$ 6.0 million).

Arig’s Gross written premiums decreased to US$ 220.4 million over the year (2014: US$ 315.3 million) as a result of shifts in the Lloyd’s portfolio, cyclical cutbacks and the influence of exchange rate developments. A series of mid-size insurance losses and the reduced premium pool pushed the Group’s combined ratio up to 106.6% (2014: 101.7%).

Yassir Albaharna, CEO of Arig, commented: “We are obviously not satisfied with our 2015 result and are streamlining the Group for better performance and capital efficiency. It was therefore decided that Takaful Re, in which we hold a 54% stake, should cease underwriting. Equally we are revisiting activities that have remained below our expectations while boosting those with strong returns.”

Arig’s shareholders’ equity stood at US$ 244.2 million on 31 December 2015 (end of 2014: US$ 264.5 million) with a book value per share of US$ 1.23 (end of 2014: US$ 1.34).

About Arig

Arig is one of the largest Arab-owned, professional reinsurance providers in the Middle East and Africa. Arig is listed on the stock exchanges in Bahrain and Dubai and offers a wide range of reinsurance products and services. Arig’s subsidiaries include Takaful Re (Dubai), Gulf Warranties (Bahrain) and Arig Capital Ltd. (UK). Additional information about Arig can be obtained at www.arig.net

Arab Insurance Group (B.S.C.) is a reinsurance firm regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain.

For further information, please contact Amel Dardour, Corporate Communications, Tel: +973 17 544 357Call: +973 17 544 357, Fax: +973 17 531 155Call: +973 17 531 155, or email: dardour.a@arig.com.bh