Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
Nepal in microinsurance move
Nepal Insurance Board and the German Development Cooperation program have collaborated to help improve the country's microinsurance program.
Hong Kong and South China brace for Tyhoon Utor
The typhoon which struck the Philippines leaving at least two dead and 44 missing is heading towards South-East China and Hong Kong.
Colmenares appointed chief of staff at Zurich's Latin American operations
David Colmenares, general insurance chief claims officer, Asia-Pacific at Zurich, will head up the insurer's Latin American operations as chief of staff from 20 August.
23 fishermen missing as powerful typhoon strikes the Philippines
23 fishermen have not yet returned home as Typhoon Utor hits the Philippines.
Six killed by Indonesian volcano eruption
Four adults and two children have died after a volcanic eruption on an Indonesian island.
Singapore upgrades growth forecasts
The Singapore economy grew 3.8% in the second quarter of 2013 compared to 0.2% in the first.
India confirms banks can become brokers
The India Regulatory Development Authority has confirmed banks can become brokers and sell the products of several general and life insurers.
Aviva's CEO commits to Asia
Aviva's CEO Mark Wilson has said the business is "making progress in Asia with a more focused approach concentrating on China and South East Asia."
HKFI celebrates 25th anniversary
The great and good of the Hong Kong insurance industry met last night (8 August)at the Conrad hotel in Hong Kong to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers.
Allianz grows profits 34% in Asia
Allianz grew its profits 34% in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.
China earthquake was Asia's costliest disaster in July
According to Impact Forecasting, part of Aon Benfield, the July Gansu province earthquake in China caused $3.25bn of economic losses.
Monsoon rains cause havoc in the Philippines and Myanmar
Over 120 000 have been displaced in the Philippines and Myanmar following severe flooding from monsoon rains.
AIR Worldwide updates crop models for China and the US
AIR Worldwide has updated its multiple peril crop insurance models for the United States and China.
GFIA supports Indian Insurance Amendment Bill
The Global Federation of Insurance Associations has written to the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to offer its support for the proposed Indian Insurance Law Amendment Bill.
Life insurance rate-cap removal in China could spur innovation, says Fitch
Ratings agency Fitch welcomes the removal of the 2.5% capo on guaranteed rates by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission.
Axa hails "massive potential" of Chinese car market
Axa's chief financial officer Francois-Valery Lecomte has hailed the huge opportunity in the Chinese motor market.
H7N9 can transmit from human to human, say researchers
According to researchers at the Jiangsu Province Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the latest strain of bird flu can transmit from human-to-human.
AJ Gallagher targets reinsurance expansion in Asia
Arthur J Gallagher (Singapore) is targeting 30% reinsurance premium growth this year as the broker promotes Maxwell Sung to managing director of reinsurance.
Aviva 'seeking India exit'
There are reports that Aviva is seeking to exit from its joint life insurer venture in India.
Europe's floods hit Munich Re's profits in Q2
Munich Re's profits fell considerably in the second quarter compared to the same period in 2012 as it booked a huge cost for the recent European floods.
Herratt joins Cooper Claridge-Ware
David Herratt, former acting CEO of the Hong Kong office of broker Swiss Insurance Partners, has joined Hong Kong-based broker Cooper Claridge-Ware.
Earthquake strikes Japan; no damage reported
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan yesterday (4 August) but there was no reports of damage.
Huge reinsurance growth potential in Asia, says Fitch
Global ratings agency Fitch believes there is significant room for the reinsurance market in Asia to grow given relatively low insurance penetration in Asian markets.
CIRC confirms end to life insurance interest rate cap
China's Insurance Regulatory Commission has confirmed the end to the 2.5% cap on interest rate for standard life policies.