ABI identifies key export markets for insurers after Brexit

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is looking to help expand the industry’s opportunities to trade after the Brexit vote by identifying eight countries as priority markets.

The UK industry, the fourth largest in the world, is a net exporter to the tune of £1.8 billion and accounts for over 60 percent of total UK services exports, according to ABI.

“The UK insurance and long-term savings industry wants to be a frontrunner in the race to make the most out of the new trade opportunities that are set to emerge following Brexit,” said Huw Evans, director general of the ABI.

“To support this we are setting out the industry’s priority markets and what we think needs to be done to open them up further. Many insurers are already operating in the markets identified, but the potential for further growth is palpable and exciting,” Evans said.

China and India were identified as the top two priority markets for UK insurers, with a gradual approach needed to secure improvements in the ease of doing business there.

A further six countries have been identified where ABI members are already active and there is high potential for progress and growth, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

The countries were chosen based on market size, growth potential, and the presence of existing commercial and regulatory relationships.

These priority markets form part of an industry paper submitted by the ABI to the UK government that also highlights the main practices that need to be addressed in these markets if insurers are to expand further.

The paper also identifies some of the key protectionist or discriminatory practices that need to be addressed if UK insurers are to grow their presence in these markets. These include getting in place workable rules on investment, such as whether foreign insurers can set up subsidiaries or branches overseas, easing restrictions on foreign direct investment, or limits on equity stakes in domestic insurers. In addition the ABI sees the need for tackling discriminatory measures, such as reinsurance collateral requirements, ensuring UK holding companies of international companies can carry out financial functions such as lending money to overseas subsidiaries, subscribing for shares in overseas subsidiaries, and receiving repayments, distributions and other returns of value back to the UK from overseas as well as addressing barriers to moving skilled people into overseas markets.

“With protectionist forces growing in strength across the world, the insurance industry can become a leading example of how free trade can benefit everyone. The UK is seen as a world leader, and can help many emerging and developed countries which exhibit significant under-insurance. Trade deals offer the opportunity of a partnership between the expertise and best practice of British providers and the growing insurance needs of these countries,” Evans said.

“Securing sizable and sustainable improvements in the ease of doing business in China and India will take time and commitment, but it will be worth it.”