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RegulationConfirmedOman
Oman extends mandatory sick-leave insurance to expatriate workers from 19 July
Under Decision 13/2026 from the Social Protection Fund, Oman's sick leave and extraordinary leave insurance will cover non-Omani staff in both public bodies and private-sector firms from 19 July, funded by a 1% employer contribution on gross salary with no ceiling. It widens the state social-insurance net rather than the commercial market, but it adds another compulsory line that employers and their brokers will have to administer.
GovernanceConfirmedKuwait
AM Best ratings sweep through Kuwait's takaful sector
AM Best assigned Ilaf Takaful a B++ (Good) financial strength rating with a stable outlook on 25 June, days after rating Kuwait Islamic Takaful and amid a run of fresh assignments across the market, including KFH Takaful and Kuwait International Takaful. The clustering looks deliberate rather than coincidental: Kuwait's smaller takaful carriers appear to be picking up external ratings in step, most likely to reassure counterparties and meet regulatory expectations.
GovernanceSingle-sourceSaudi Arabia
Tawuniya shareholders set to approve SAR2 dividend for 2025
Tawuniya put a cash dividend of SAR2 per share for 2025, equal to 20% of its SAR1.5bn capital and roughly SAR300m in total, to an extraordinary general meeting on 28 June, with payment due 19 July. A full payout of this size signals confidence from the Kingdom's largest insurer as the sector heads towards the risk-based capital regime due in 2027.
MarketConfirmedOman
Oman insurers lift investment portfolios 10.3% to $2.28bn in Q1
Oman's insurance sector held OMR876.3m ($2.28bn) in investments at the end of the first quarter, up 10.3% year on year, with domestic insurers accounting for OMR588.8m. Cash and deposits still make up about 45% of the domestic book, but a sharp rise in listed equities (up 90.6%) and investment funds (up 78.4%) points to a gradual move up the risk curve as insurers reach for yield.
MarketCorroboratedUAE
Gulf marine war-risk premiums set to ease as US-Iran ceasefire holds
War-risk premiums for cargo and tankers transiting the Gulf are expected to soften over the coming weeks as the US-Iran ceasefire steadies sentiment, after Strait of Hormuz transit rates spiked from around 0.25% to as much as 3% of hull value at the peak. Underwriters are repricing cautiously and want sustained calm before cutting rates, so the relief for regional cargo owners and their insurers will be gradual rather than immediate.
Each item is a short editorial summary with a link to the original source. Items marked Rumour · unverified are unconfirmed and should be treated with caution. Compiled automatically; corrections welcome.