OPINIONS

Wolfgang AMIRAS, Vicepresident, AXIS Capital:
"FIAR has become a milestone in the reinsurance industry and a must for every player in the Romanian and the Eastern European markets"

Cornel TOMA, Reinsurance Division Manager, ALLIANZ-TIRIAC:
"The Romanian insurance market and international business relations' development potential are arguments that make the Forum from Sinaia an increasingly needed annual event for the insurance industry. "

Mihail FRENKEL, General Manager, BiSER:
"FIAR offers the Russian insurers a direct communication with foreign colleagues, and also the possibility to get more experience. At the moment, this is an essential opportunity, as Russia has practically entered WTO. This fact increases the interest of the Russian insurers regarding the foreign experience.
Business meetings during the entire period of the Forum, will offer the opportunity to discuss possible terms of interaction and reinsurance with foreign potential partners.
At the same time, serious companies understand that extending on a new market is possible only by being aware of this market and its juridical particularities. FIAR’s bilateral meetings will help to find answers to these questions. "

Vadim DEMCHENKO, Editor-in-chief, RUSSIAN POLIS:
"FIAR has become an important regional congress for those interested in the insurance markets of Southern Europe. The event gives its Russian participants an insight into the most recent developments in the industry, and provides a chance for networking with existing and potential business partners, for learning about latest know-hows and successful strategies. "

Guy HUDSON, Executive Director, WILLIS Re:
"FIAR has never stood still, it constantly looks at ways to expand and cover new and interesting topics of insurance interest. This is the principal reason why the numbers of attendees have grown so dramatically and why for so many brokers and reinsurers it is the first conference to put in the diary.
FIAR enables brokers and reinsurers to discuss many issues with clients (and to discuss amongst themselves) in an informal and friendly atmosphere. This enables attendees to get closer to the objective reality of the burning issues of the moment!"

Mark ROBINSON, Director, RFIB Marine:
"In my view if you wish to be able to business in Central and Eastern Europe as a whole, and Romania in particular, one has to get to know your markets. FIAR provides the perfect forum for meeting all of the major local companies and reinsurers in a particularly business friendly and convivial atmosphere."

Kristian R. THOMSEN, Underwriting Director, CHAUCER:
"Since the 4th FIAR in 2001, which was my first, FIAR has first of all increased its popularity both among Romanians and foreigners.
For many of the participants the importance of the lectures etc seems to have grown quite a lot as has the number of such events.
For me the individual meetings with clients and possible clients are by far the most important."

Simon FOREMAN, Director, Marine Division, AON Limited:
"It is often easy to overstate development but for those that have been involved in the markets of Central & Eastern Europe for any period of time the progression to date and the potential for further growth is perfectly clear and FIAR has had a major part to play in strongly encouraging the awareness in and advancement of this development.
As the numbers of people attending has increased so the importance of being part of the event has grown - the value of bringing clients and reinsurers together with the steadying hand of the brokers to maintain both stability and reality cannot be overstated."

Alain BEURRIER, Managing Director, ABAS Conseil:
"In the next 5 years I see FIAR being as important as Baden Baden and/or Monte-Carlo for Eastern European Countries Insurance and Reinsurance markets.
I consider the participation to FIAR essential for anybody having business or willing to develop business in Central Europe countries."

Edward MELVIN, Manager Property Treaty, ALLIANCE Re:
"The evolution of FAIR has been phenomenal. From a small start to the premier conference in the region has been a testament to the dedication and skills of the organizers.
The EU accession there is a huge potential increase in insurance availability which will be reflected in the market make up. More and more brokers, reinsurers and insurers are being attracted to the area and it will need skillful planning to continue the growth pattern of FAIR.
Just look at the guest list from last year! Everyone seriously intending to do insurance and reinsurance business in the region, is attending. Attendance is of massive importance."