Expatriate insurance firm receives licence

AXA Insurance Gulf has received its medical licence from the General Authority for Health Services (GAHS) in Abu Dhabi.

The licence has been issued in view of the law passed by the GAHS earlier this year, which states that it is mandatory for companies operating in Abu Dhabi to cover their expatriate staff with a national health insurance policy.

It is anticipated that this law will soon be extended to include the rest of the UAE as well.

The insurer will now be able to offer its comprehensive international healthcare series to corporations and individuals in the market.

Bupa is another insurer that sees potential in this area.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven states formed in 1971 by the then Trucial States after independence from Britain.

Although each state - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain - maintains a large degree of independence, the UAE is governed by a Supreme Council of Rulers made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet.

It is likely that all states will soon require expatriates to have insurance.

There are 60,000 British expats in the UEA, most of whom work there.

International health insurance: News update: June 2007