
GIG Gulf secures category "A" health insurance license under new regulatory framework in Oman
MUSCAT, Oman/PRNewswire/ -- GIG Gulf has achieved a landmark milestone in Oman, becoming one of the first insurers to be awarded a Category "A" license by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). This license grants GIG Gulf the authority to provide and manage health insurance under the Sultanate's newly established 'Health Insurance Participation' framework, positioning the company at the forefront of a transformative shift in Oman's healthcare landscape.
As one of the first insurers to receive this license, GIG Gulf is now officially authorized to offer and manage health insurance products in Oman. The FSA introduced this new licensing framework to strengthen regulatory oversight, improve service quality, and boost premium retention within the Sultanate. It also establishes a co-insurance model, enabling licensed B insurers to take a share of health business from licensed A insurers. This ensures sustainability, data protection, and a customer-centric approach for the Omani population.
Mehdi Al Harthy, General Manager of GIG Gulf Oman, said, "We are committed to leveraging our expertise and technology to deliver tailored insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of individuals and businesses across Oman. Our focus is on building long-term partnerships and enhancing customer experience through transparency, accessibility, and trust."
He added, "With less than 20% of the population currently insured, the market opportunity is substantial. We are investing in infrastructure, IT systems, and talent to expand our client base and product offerings, ensuring that we meet evolving market demands and consistently deliver the highest quality service. We also thank the FSA for their leadership in fostering a resilient and inclusive health insurance ecosystem in Oman."
This achievement underscores GIG Gulf's commitment to innovation, regulatory excellence, and delivering high-quality healthcare protection to Oman's residents. It also positions the company as a market leader as the FSA rolls out the framework for regulating health insurance in the country.
ABOUT GIG GULF
GIG Gulf is part of the Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), the #1 largest regional composite insurer with companies in Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Its reported consolidated assets stand at US$3.8 billion as of 31 December 2023.
GIG Gulf is an 'A' rated regional insurer with a top 5 position in each of its markets. GIG Gulf has been present in the GCC region for over 70 years with a strategic focus on both growth and investments and is a 1-stop shop offering a wide range of insurance products and services that cater to a broad variety of needs for corporates, SMEs, and individual customers throughout UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. GIG Gulf also owns a 50% stake in GIG Saudi.
GIG Gulf is a subsidiary of Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a holding company headquartered in Toronto, Canada, which, through its subsidiaries, is primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance and the associated investment management.
With a workforce of over 800 employees across 12 branches and retail shops region-wide and over 1 million customers, GIG Gulf is a caring partner that encourages customers to achieve their goals and live an inspiring and fulfilling life. Obsessed with customer feedback and continuously evolving to become the region's digital insurer of reference, GIG Gulf is also focused on making a difference for customers, partners and communities through strong CSR commitments.
Recognised as a leading insurance brand, GIG Gulf has been winning several awards for its quality of services and products, most recently winning, The Health Insurer of the Year award by MENA II 2022, 2023 and 2025 Award, The Middle East Leadership Awards and received the ISO 2700 Certificate.
For more information, visit www.gig-gulf.com and follow us on:
https://twitter.com/giggulf
https://www.linkedin.com/company/giggulf
https://www.facebook.com/giggulf/
https://www.instagram.com/giggulf/
SOURCE GIG Gulf
Contact: Hayley Clements, Regional Communications Manager, Hayley.clements@gig-gulf.com, +971 50 635 8194
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
18 minutes ago
- The National
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution demanding full humanitarian access to Gaza
The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday demanding an 'immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire' in Gaza and full humanitarian access, as aid groups warn of famine-like conditions in the enclave after months of war. The resolution received 14 votes in favour, with only the US opposing it. The draft resolution, proposed by the 10 non-permanent council members, also urged the 'immediate lifting of all restrictions' on humanitarian aid into Gaza, ensuring safe and large-scale distribution throughout the besieged enclave. Washington's veto blocked the measure, which required at least nine "yes" votes and no vetoes from the five permanent members – the US, Russia, China, Britain or France – to pass. The veto is the first by Washington since US President Donald Trump took office in January. And it's the fifth draft resolution on the Gaza war vetoed by the US since the conflict started in October 2023. The Security Council has struggled to act on the conflict, with previous ceasefire attempts also failing. 'US opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise,' acting US Charge D'Affaires Dorothy Shea told Council members. 'It is unacceptable for what it does say. it is unacceptable for what it does not say, and it is unacceptable for the manner in which it has been advanced." She stressed that the United States has been clear that it would not support 'any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza." "We cannot allow the Security Council to reward Hamas is intransigence,' she added. The text, drafted by Slovenia alongside Algeria and Guyana, repeated the council's demand for the 'immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups". 'It was never our intention to provoke a veto,' Slovenia's ambassador to the UN, Samuel Zbogar, told council members. 'We were aware of different positions inside the council. This is why the draft resolution had only one focus, a humanitarian one." Mr Zbogar called on the council to 'unite around this urgent demand for unimpeded humanitarian access and for food to be delivered to starving civilians'. Starving civilians and inflicting immense suffering is inhumane, he argued, and against international law. 'No war objective can justify such action,' he said. '14 votes in favour however carries a strong message. Enough of suffering of civilians. Enough of food being used as a weapon. Enough is enough is enough.' Israel has come under mounting international pressure to halt its war in Gaza, a conflict sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli soil. Criticism has intensified over the chaotic aid distribution in Gaza, where Israel imposed a complete blockade for over two months before permitting a limited number of UN aid vehicles to enter in mid-May. The amount of aid Israel has authorised to enter Gaza amounts to 'a teaspoon', when a flood of humanitarian assistance is needed, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said last month. Meanwhile, the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) has faced backlash for allegedly violating established aid principles by coordinating relief efforts with a military party to the conflict. The war, now in its 20th month, has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza authorities. The Palestinian militant group Hamas is still holding 58 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks. About a third are believed to still be alive.

Zawya
an hour ago
- Zawya
United Arab Emirates (UAE) Strongly Condemns Attack on Humanitarian Convoy in North Darfur
The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the armed attack on a humanitarian convoy in North Darfur. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) strongly condemned all acts of violence against humanitarian personnel who dedicate their lives to serving those in need. The Ministry underlined that the targeting of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) convoy is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, and emphasized that humanitarian personnel must be respected and protected. Moreover, the Ministry called on the two warring parties - who have shown no regard for the extent of suffering endured by the Sudanese people - to respect their obligations under international law and their commitments under the Jeddah Declaration, and the mechanisms proposed by the Advancing Lifesaving and Peace in Sudan (ALPS) Group. The UAE stressed the need to implement immediate steps to protect civilians and facilitate the rapid and unhindered access of essential humanitarian aid through all available means. The Ministry underscored the UAE's steadfast and unwavering dedication to support all efforts aimed at reaching a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, highlighting the importance of an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians. The UAE remains committed to supporting all endeavors to address this catastrophic crisis and to work alongside regional and international partners to ensure stability and peace for the people of Sudan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.


Khaleej Times
an hour ago
- Khaleej Times
Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange Index posts 0.7% growth in May
The Rabee Securities Iraq Stock Exchange Index (RSISX Index) rose by 0.7 per cent in May, supported by gains in Asiacell, Baghdad Soft Drinks, National Bank of Iraq, and Al-Mansour Bank. Meanwhile, the RSISX Total Return Index (RSISXTR) outperformed, rising 6.4 per cent, driven by strong dividend activity. Key contributors included Bank of Baghdad (IQD0.65 per share, 14.5 per cent yield), Asiacell (IQD1.50 per share, 11.5 per cent yield), and Al-Mansour Hotel (IQD0.17 per share, 0.4 per cent yield). Tugba Tan Karakaya, Equity Analyst at Rabee Securities, commented: 'The market's performance this month reinforces investor confidence in core sectors like banking and telecom. Despite softer trading volumes, we are seeing healthy signals in dividend yields and price movements. As Iraq advances on reforms and financial inclusion, the medium-term fundamentals remain promising.' Total trading volume on the Iraq Stock Exchange (ISX) declined 21 per cent month-on-month to $21.8 million. Excluding cross-transactions, the volume stood at $18.2 million, a 24 per cent drop. The banking sector remained dominant, accounting for 60.1 per cent of trades, followed by telecom (19.8 per cent), industry (13.1 per cent), services (3.2 per cent), agriculture (2.1 per cent), and hotels & tourism (1.6 per cent). Trading activity in the OTC market also dipped 10 per cent to $88.5K. In May, 27 companies recorded share price increases. Of these, 13 rose more than 5 per cent, and 9 gained over 10 per cent. Al-Ahlyia for Agricultural Production led the market with a 67.4 per cent surge, followed by Al-Hilal Industries, up 42.5 per cent. On the macroeconomic front, Iraq welcomed several key developments during the month. The IMF, during its May 4–13 visit, called for urgent reforms including fiscal consolidation, restructuring of state-owned banks, and private sector expansion. The 34th Ordinary Arab League Summit was held in Baghdad on May 17, hosting delegations from 20 Arab countries. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) launched its first National Financial Inclusion Strategy (2025–2029), aiming to expand secure access to financial services nationwide. Additionally, Iraq signed a strategic deal with a consortium led by China-based Geo-Jade Petroleum and Basra Crescent. The agreement targets a fivefold increase in output from the Tuba oil field rising from 20,000 to 100,000 barrels per day—and includes investment in downstream infrastructure totaling $848 million.