Bulawayo to host the Insurance Institute conference

THE Insurance Institute of Zimbabwe will hold its annual conference in Bulawayo from November 6 to 9. The conference will run under the theme: "Insurance - The diamond for National growth in Zimbabwe and beyond" and would be officially opened by Vice President Joice Mujuru.

IIZ general manager Mr Garikai Dumisani said delegates to the conference, which serves as a climax to the insurance industry calendar, will get an opportunity to network, exchange ideas, innovate and expand their insurance knowledge.

"The conference also provides delegates with actionable ideas by bringing together the region's top executives and thought leaders to debate developing trends in business, particularly in line with the insurance industry," he said.

Topics to be discussed include Zimbabwean Economy Growth Prospects: Opportunities for Insurance Sector, Risk based capitalisation, a brave new world for the insurance industry in Zimbabwe and Medical Insurance challenges in the region.

Regulation in the Financial Industry in Africa-Its effect on the Insurance sector, Catastrophic Insurance issues wars, natural disasters and their effect on the Insurance sector, Bancassurance - Dead or Alive and Aids in Africa and its effect on the Insurance Sector.

A panel of renowned local and international speakers will address the topics at the event.

The presenters include KM Financial Solutions founder and chief executive Mr Kenias Mafukidze, the Commissioner of Insurance and Pensions Mr Manett S. Mpofu, Medscheme Africa managing director Mr Tim Rametse and Mr Kimani Mwega of the Central Bank of Kenya.

Others include Sasria Limited South Africa's managing director Mr Cedric Masondo, ABSA Africa Bancassurance managing executive Mr Johann Grobler and Aid for Aids general manager Rodney Cowlin.

Apart from the presentation of papers and discussion the conference will see the election of a new president.

The IIZ is a body that seeks to promote the insurance industry in Zimbabwe in the attainment of requisite skills by the practitioners at various level of professional development.

It has been instrumental in ensuring that the insurance industry retains its former glory and restores confidence within investors and policyholders.

It is also a professional insurance organisation and independent examining body whose core function is to promote efficiency and improvement in business practice amongst its members as well as the delegates it trains.

The professional qualifications are certified in conjunction with National University of Science and Technology.

Over the years thousands of students have passed through its doors. The Institute was officially opened in August 1982 as the Insurance Training and Education Board of Zimbabwe.

The interest of the industry`s associations that established the institute are well represented as the Board comprises representatives of the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, Life Offices Association of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Insurance Brokers Association.

Others include the Zimbabwe Association of Reinsurance Organisations and Zimbabwe Association of Funeral Assurers, Insurance Institutes of Harare and Bulawayo and Society of Fellows.

IIZ also compares and shares experiences with the Chartered Insurance Institute of United Kingdom and the Insurance Institute of South Africa.