Articles by Andrew Tjaardstra
EU considering action over Bangladesh building collapse
The European Union could remove certain conditions of its trade preference scheme with Bangladesh following awful building collapse incident.
HSBC sells off another Asian insurance asset
Following a series of exits from insurance companies in Asia, HSBC Insurance has now sold its stake in its joint venture in life insurer Hana HSBC Life.
Tune Insurance closes in on Indonesian insurer
Tune Insurance is attempting to expand its presence in Asia through acquiring 70% of PT Batavia Mitratama.
Hong Kong companies hire private eyes over sick leave
Employment insurance premiums in Hong Kong have increased by around 20% to 30% in the past three years, making companies more wary about sick leave claims.
Ace appoints president director in Indonesia
Ace has appointed Tim Shields (pictured) as president director in Indonesia.
HKFI appoints new chairman
The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers has announced its new board, which will start at the beginning of May.
Hong Kong claims complaints bureau to oversee non-residents
The Insurance Claims Complaints Bureau has been given an extension to handle claims complaints from non-Hong Kong residents with effect from 1 May 2013.
AIA expands football sponsorship in Thailand
Life insurer AIA is now sponsoring 34 teams in Thailand, up from 25 previously.
UK Member of Parliament slams Solvency II
Andrew Tyrie, a Conservative MP and chairman of the Treasury Select Committee has slammed the confusion caused by Solvency II for the insurance industry.
United India Insurance profits up 36%
United India Insurance saw profits grow 36% for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2013.
Primark to pay compensation over Bangladesh factory collapse
The British clothing store Primark has offered to pay compensation to the victims and families of victims after one of its supplier's factories collapsed killing hundreds.
Ping An profits rise 22% in Q1
China's second largest insurer Ping An registered a profit increase of 22% in the first quarter of 2013.
$30.5bn spent on insurance takeovers in Asia last year
According to data analysts S&P Capital IQ, there was $30.5bn spent on insurance company takeovers in Asia last year.
Indonesian flood scheme fails
Insurance companies have been forced to drop a scheme for simplified premium rates for property protection against flooding following a complaint from the Business Competition Supervisory Commission.
Asian highlights of the week
The leading news, features and opinion pieces of the week from Asia.
Hong Kong gears up for Solvency II style regime
The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance in Hong Kong has hired KPMG to help produce a framework for a risk-based capital regime by the end of 2013.
Sichuan earthquake to have low impact on insurance market, says Fitch
The 6.6 magnitude earthquake that rocked Sichuan province at the beginning of the week will have a small impact on the Chinese insurance market according to analysts Fitch.
India has 0.7% general insurance penetration
India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has called on the general insurance sector to increase its penetration across the country.
Thai catastrophe fund has underwritten 800 000 policies
The Thai National Catastrophe Insurance Fund has provided over 800 000 policies over the last year after it was set-up following the Thai floods in 2011.
World Health Organisation: H7N9 bird flu is "one of the most lethal viruses so far"
As the death toll rises to 22 and the virus arrives in Taiwan, the World Health Organisation has given a stark warning.
Axa buys 50% of Chinese insurer
Axa has agreed to buy 50% of general insurer Tian Ping for €485m ($631m) in China.
Simon Machell on six months gardening leave
Simon Machell, formerly CEO of higher growth markets at Aviva, is on six months gardening leave after leaving the insurer.
Axa targets 15% growth in Thailand
Axa is targeting to continue its run of good premium growth in Thailand, but 15% will be half of 2012's growth figure.
China Taiping's restructure moves forward
The Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission have given China Taiping Insurance Holdings' parent TPG Group approval to begin a restructure of its insurance businesses.