Arabian Gulf insurers face economic headwinds, but improving regulations will offset the negative impact from low-oil prices and high exposure to volatile investment assets, said Moody’s Investors Service.
"Asset quality continues to be a key credit weakness for many insurers in the region," said Mohammed Londe, an assistant vice president at Moody's. "Low levels of GCC sovereign and corporate bond issuance have historically limited insurers' fixed income investment options, increasing their exposure to volatile equities and illiquid real estate investments, making their investment returns more volatile."
These negative factors are offset by forecast premium growth, thanks to compulsory medical cover and rising motor and property insurance prices in the region, which will also benefit from high-profile events such as Expo 2020 in Dubai and 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Growth in GCC premiums is expected to have expanded 3.5 per cent in 2017 from 2016, but low compared to the 12.3 per cent rate achieved in 2015.
Gulf insurers are competing in a negative environment as economies slow down from low oil prices that started sliding in mid-2014. Despite low penetration rates, the GCC region’s insurance sector is hobbled by high reliance on investment income rather than premiums amid their exposure to volatile asset classes such as stocks and real estate.
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Read more:
UAE listed insurers' profitability rises in 2017, but challenges remain
Middle East insurers face headwinds yet opportunities abound amid low penetration, report says
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“Improving insurance regulation, as reflected in the introduction of risk-based capital and actuarial reserving requirements, is a further positive for the sector, although many smaller insurers are struggling with rising regulatory compliance costs,” Moody’s said.
The 30 listed insurers in the UAE which generate about half of the country's written premiums, face a challenging 2018 due to the introduction of VAT and lower oil prices after having a profitable 2017, rating agencies AM Best and S&P Global Ratings have said.
The net profit of listed insurers surged 45 per cent to Dh1.3 billion in 2017 compared with a year earlier, thanks to compulsory medical insurance, particularly in Dubai and the Unified Motor Insurance Policy.
Moody’s is bullish on the UAE insurance sector and expects consolidation to take place as new investors and existing shareholders funnel more capital into the sector, driving more mergers and acquisitions.
"We expect UAE insurers to maintain prices at their current higher level in 2018," said Mr Londe. "The higher prices, combined with the improvement of underwriting controls as part of a regulatory driven enhancement to risk management, will support profitability."
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
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Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
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