Latest news with #AlMaamari
Zawya
30-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman hosts seminar on expanding insurance coverage in MENA
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), is hosting the third Regional Joint Seminar on the theme, "Expanding Insurance in the Middle East and North Africa: Key Challenges and Market Development Opportunities." The two-day forum, which began at the W Hotel Muscat, is also supported by the Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority of Morocco and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). The seminar brings together leading figures in regulatory bodies, insurance companies, and industry experts from the Arab world and beyond. The seminar is a key platform for promoting regional cooperation, exchanging experience, and debating the emerging challenges and opportunities for the insurance sector amidst rapid economic and technological change. The programme consists of a series of panel sessions and expert workshops, with priorities being strengthening regulatory frameworks to remain in line with international developments, broadening the actuarial function to foster financial stability, and examining opportunities for digital innovation to drive sectorial development. Ahmed bin Ali al Maamari, FSA Vice President – Insurance, commented: "Legislators and regulators from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region met today with international organisations to discuss the region's most pressing challenges, including climate change, cyber security, and geopolitical tensions." Al Maamari added: "The meeting aims to foster cooperation and develop pragmatic solutions, with a specific focus on the insurance sector's role in the management of emerging risks. Issues under consideration include the creation of new insurance products to support economic resilience and social stability, and fostering technology initiatives while inserting regulatory and societal safeguards.' Ahmed bin Salim al Harassi, Director General of the Market Regulation and Development Unit stated, "This regional conference is being organized to address the key regulatory challenges facing authorities across the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular focus on the challenge of climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the Sultanate of Oman.". The event also highlights the growing need for effective post-disaster financial response mechanisms, which renders the insurance sector a key industry in the provision of financial protection. The discussions also surround the digitalization of insurance services, both the potential and cyber security risk it brings," Al Harassi added. "Regulators are also figuring out how to align domestic frameworks with international standards, balancing compliance with the need to foster innovation. As part of this, the uptake of risk-based supervision is being promoted — intensifying oversight where risks are great, while offering flexibility in less risky domains to foster growth and innovation," he concluded. Siham Ramli, Director of International Relations and Communication at Morocco's Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority, said, "Previously perceived as a sheer financial support tool, the insurance sector has developed into a pillar of social protection and inclusive economic development. It is now leading in covering an extensive array of society's risks — environmental, health, digital, and economic," she said. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publication and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
29-04-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman hosts seminar on expanding insurance coverage in MENA
MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), is hosting the third Regional Joint Seminar on the theme, "Expanding Insurance in the Middle East and North Africa: Key Challenges and Market Development Opportunities." The two-day forum, which began at the W Hotel Muscat, is also supported by the Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority of Morocco and the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). The seminar brings together leading figures in regulatory bodies, insurance companies, and industry experts from the Arab world and beyond. The seminar is a key platform for promoting regional cooperation, exchanging experience, and debating the emerging challenges and opportunities for the insurance sector amidst rapid economic and technological change. The programme consists of a series of panel sessions and expert workshops, with priorities being strengthening regulatory frameworks to remain in line with international developments, broadening the actuarial function to foster financial stability, and examining opportunities for digital innovation to drive sectorial development. Ahmed bin Ali al Maamari, FSA Vice President – Insurance, commented: "Legislators and regulators from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region met today with international organisations to discuss the region's most pressing challenges, including climate change, cyber security, and geopolitical tensions." Al Maamari added: "The meeting aims to foster cooperation and develop pragmatic solutions, with a specific focus on the insurance sector's role in the management of emerging risks. Issues under consideration include the creation of new insurance products to support economic resilience and social stability, and fostering technology initiatives while inserting regulatory and societal safeguards.' Ahmed bin Salim al Harassi, Director General of the Market Regulation and Development Unit stated, "This regional conference is being organized to address the key regulatory challenges facing authorities across the Middle East and North Africa, with a particular focus on the challenge of climate change and the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the Sultanate of Oman.". The event also highlights the growing need for effective post-disaster financial response mechanisms, which renders the insurance sector a key industry in the provision of financial protection. The discussions also surround the digitalization of insurance services, both the potential and cyber security risk it brings," Al Harassi added. "Regulators are also figuring out how to align domestic frameworks with international standards, balancing compliance with the need to foster innovation. As part of this, the uptake of risk-based supervision is being promoted — intensifying oversight where risks are great, while offering flexibility in less risky domains to foster growth and innovation," he concluded. Siham Ramli, Director of International Relations and Communication at Morocco's Insurance and Social Welfare Supervisory Authority, said, "Previously perceived as a sheer financial support tool, the insurance sector has developed into a pillar of social protection and inclusive economic development. It is now leading in covering an extensive array of society's risks — environmental, health, digital, and economic," she said.
Observer
27-04-2025
- General
- Observer
Programme for gifted students begins
SUHAR: The first phase of the fourth edition of the National Programme for Identifying Gifted Students, 'Tharwa 4', has commenced on Sunday in Al Batinah North Governorate. Hamad bin Saif al Maamari, Director of the Department of Special Education and Continuous Education at the Directorate-General of Education in Al Batinah North, stated that 31 schools in the governorate have been selected for the initial phase of the programme, targeting approximately 1,974 male and female students. The implementation period will extend until May 8. He explained that the programme aims to identify students with high cognitive abilities linked to creativity and innovation by assessing their intelligence and creative potential. This will help determine the needs of gifted students and develop specialised enrichment programmes to nurture them both within and outside school settings. The initiative aligns with global trends emphasising the importance of supporting gifted students, harnessing their capabilities and building a comprehensive, updated digital database to track their progress, classify their achievements and document their contributions. Al Maamari further clarified that the identification and selection process follows clear, systematic criteria based on standardised tests and assessments. These tools measure students' abilities across academic, skill-based and creative dimensions, ensuring accurate and realistic results. This approach contributes to providing integrated development and care for gifted students. — ONA
Times of Oman
27-04-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
National Program for Identifying Gifted Students begins in North Al Batinah
Sohar - The first phase of the fourth edition of the National Program for Identifying Gifted Students, "Tharwa 4," has commenced today in North Al Batinah Governorate. Hamad Saif Al Maamari, Director of the Department of Special Education and Continuous Education at the Directorate General of Education in North Al Batinah, stated that 31 schools in the governorate have been selected for the initial phase of the program, targeting approximately 1,974 male and female students. The implementation period will extend until 8 May 2025. He explained that the program aims to identify students with high cognitive abilities linked to creativity and innovation by assessing their intelligence and creative potential. This will help determine the needs of gifted students and develop specialized enrichment programs to nurture them both within and outside school settings. The initiative aligns with global trends emphasizing the importance of supporting gifted students, harnessing their capabilities, and building a comprehensive, updated digital database to track their progress, classify their achievements, and document their contributions. Al Maamari further clarified that the identification and selection process follows clear, systematic criteria based on standardized tests and assessments. These tools measure students' abilities across academic, skill-based, and creative dimensions, ensuring accurate and realistic results. This approach contributes to providing integrated development and care for gifted students.
