The Sunday News
Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE will play host to the 18th edition of Insurance Congress of Developing Countries (ICDC) in Victoria Falls from 27 September to 2 October 2014 that will bring together insurance executives and experts to share best practice and discuss common issues affecting insurance business in their countries.The congress will be held under the theme: “Insurance TRENDS, opportunities and challenges in Developing Economies”.
In a statement, the chairperson of the ICDC Zimbabwe organising committee, and managing director of Nicoz Diamond, Mrs Grace Muradzikwa said the congress would also offer business networking opportunities for insurance companies and create an enabling platform for partnerships, new product development ideas and strengthening of ties among companies in the sector.
“This year’s congress which is being held in Zimbabwe for the first time is happening at a time when the sector is facing major challenges including issues of capacity, insurance penetration challenges, changes in customer expectations and demands and regulatory changes,” she said.
Commenting on this year’s congress, the President of the AIRDC, Dr Jagath Alwis said: “The theme of the congress is very appropriate as all stakeholders in the insurance industry in developing countries are seriously concerned about the present trends. The theme and topics have therefore been chosen to provide solutions to these challenges and to highlight opportunities for growth in the sector.”
The congress which will bring together more than 400 visitors from across the globe is also an opportunity for delegates to experience the best in Zimbabwean hospitality.
Mrs Muradzikwa said the local insurance industry was delighted and privileged to play host to the ICDC.
“We look forward to the sharing of knowledge and business opportunities that will be created not only for the insurance sector, but also for other sectors in the economy.
We also urge local companies that want to partner with the insurance industry in hosting the congress to come forward as there are many branding opportunities to be gained from partnering with us in hosting this conference.”
Meanwhile, Bulawayo will hold a two-day Mobile Markets and Telecoms Forum on Thursday and Friday.
The two-day conference will bring together the country’s telecommunications, ICT and banking sectors, policy makers, regulators and authorities to discuss key issues and challenges in the country’s increasingly dynamic mobile banking, phone and internet services sectors, and seek to consolidate the social and economic development gains achieved with the advent of mobile phones, internet and lately mobile money, organisers Innotec said in a statement.
The organisers said a high powered panel of speakers was expected. The Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Cde Webster Shamu, is expected to deliver the keynote address.
