Insurance industry to maintain growth
After failing to grow by double-digits in 2013, the insurance market is expected to grow modestly this year, on the back of an economic recovery and stock market gains.
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| According to Hoang Viet Ha, chief operating officer of the Bao Viet Insurance group, with economic growth forecast at between 5.4 per cent and 5.6 per cent this year, the insurance market is likely to maintain the growth rate of the previous year.— Photo baohaiquan |
HA NOI (Biz Hub) — After failing to grow by double-digits in 2013, the insurance market is expected to grow modestly this year, on the back of an economic recovery and stock market gains.
The introduction of new products and the increased diversification of distribution channels are likely to boost growth as well.
According to Hoang Viet Ha, chief operating officer of the Bao Viet Insurance group, with economic growth forecast at between 5.4 per cent and 5.6 per cent this year, the insurance market is likely to maintain the growth rate of the previous year.
The non-life insurance segment is predicted to expand by about 8 per cent, while the life insurance segment is expected to increase by around 15 per cent.
Ha said the implementation of the voluntary pension insurance scheme and new products would stimulate the life insurance segment this year. In the non-life insurance segment, insurance providers would further diversify their distribution channels to promote growth.
The insurance sector is aiming for a more stable and sustainable growth rate and is determined to undertake restructuring measures, including reducing capital from non-core businesses, he was quoted as saying by Dau tu (Vietnam Investment Review).
According to Luong Quang Ban, deputy director of PetroVietnam Insurance, the insurance market in Viet Nam could achieve double-digit growth this year, driven by an economic recovery and stock market gains.
However, general director of the BIDV Insurance Corporation Ton Lam Tung told Thoi bao Tai chinh Viet Nam (Viet Nam Financial Times) that 2014 would remain a difficult year for the insurance market and the non-life insurance segment, in particular, adding that double-digit growth would be a challenge.
According to the statistics from the Insurance Supervision Authority, Viet Nam has 59 insurance companies, which generated total revenues of more than VND45 trillion (US$2.15 billion), representing an increase of 10 per cent over 2012. — VNS
