Read Full Magazine Here. In a rapidly evolving insurance landscape, where economic volatility, technological advancements, and intensifying competition converge, staying ahead demands vision, resilience, and adaptability.
MERICS S.A.L. Insurance Broker has emerged as a standout player, crafting tailored solutions that go beyond the conventional, while continuously innovating to redefine how risks are managed. Under the strategic leadership of Salim Sehnaoui, the company has navigated Lebanon’s turbulent economic shifts with dexterity, strengthened its partnerships with leading stakeholders in the insurance industry, and maintained its unwavering commitment to its clients.
With extensive industry expertise, MERICS’s seasoned team of insurance professionals provides unparalleled guidance, helping clients navigate the complexities of insurance solutions and make informed decisions. Collaborating closely with a robust network of insurance providers, MERICS offers a comprehensive range of coverage options, setting itself apart as a trusted partner in the insurance landscape. MERICS operates at the intersection of progress and tradition, in a market where personal interactions are extremely important, but adjustments to new technologies is key to maintain competitiveness and expectations of a growing connected generation, and an increasingly connected world.
Further strengthening its position, MERICS’s alliance with WTW, one of the oldest global insurance brokers, enables MERICS’s teams to build bridges between clients’ needs and global market expertise and solutions. This partnership ensures access to client’s industry specific insights, tailored broker wordings, global capacity and insurance programs servicing in more than 140 countries.
At the helm of MERICS is Salim Sehnaoui, who has been leading the company since November 2018. With a distinguished career as CEO of Gras Savoye Gulf in the UAE for 15 years, and various roles in Gras Savoye and Hemeria Consulting in France. Salim brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking vision. His academic credentials include a master’s in strategic management from HEC Paris and a master’s in industrial engineering from UTT in France.
Salim Sehnaoui, MERICS’ CEO, recently engaged in an insightful conversation with a BUSINESS LIFE reporter, sharing how passionate he is about innovation and making an impact across the insurance brokerage & consultancy sector. With a contemporary approach to these industries, Salim Sehnaoui outlined his strategies, plans, and perspectives on the current state of insurance and reinsurance, tackling challenges posed by the demanding geopolitical and economic climate.
BL: Salim, what makes MERICS S.A.L. Insurance Broker stand out under your leadership?
Salim Sehnaoui: MERICS S.A.L. Insurance Broker boasts a rich history, having originated as part of Gras Savoye 40 years ago and later transitioning to Willis Towers Watson (now WTW), which acquired Gras Savoye globally in 2016. This integration placed us alongside one of the top three global players in the insurance brokerage industry. In 2022, we shifted from an integrated entity to a network partner to be able to serve better the Lebanese market and clients in a complex environment.
What sets us apart is our distinctive methodology and client centric approach. We have a deep understanding of our clients’ industries risks and challenges, and we help them define their risk profile and risk appetite. Leveraging the expertise of MERICS experienced team and of WTW speciality and industry professionals that are dedicated to supporting our region, we deliver industry-specific solutions rooted in extensive experience and feedback from claims and risk scenarios worldwide. Whether addressing agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, retail, education, banking or contracting, our solutions are meticulously tailored. Also, MERICS use the services of WTW security team to monitor the quality and security of risk placements.
In essence, we function as an international broker with many resources working together to achieve our value proposition. “When you get one of us, you get all of us” is our moto and this is evident in our practice, working as part of a larger ecosystem with regional experts who understand industry nuances and provides us with a unique edge. I believe in people working together to achieve excellence. This has been shaped by my career in France at Gras Savoye, the leading French broker, and my experience in opening the subsidiary of Gras Savoye in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and finally in the transition under Willis Towers Watson in 2016.
Teamwork and Partnership with leading Lebanese insurers is also very important to serve our clients. By introducing innovative covers and wordings with our Lebanese insurance partners, we aim to elevate the overall professionalism and quality of the solutions in the market.
BL: With Lebanon anticipating an economic boom, what growth strategies does MERICS have for 2025?
Salim Sehnaoui: While we are optimistic about Lebanon’s future under its new Governance, I believe we will need to wait at least two years to regain full trust and confidence. Key reforms in judiciary, finance, energy, and governance are essential to attract foreign investors. Many companies are keenly observing Lebanon and considering reinvestment, but caution remains given the country’s history of crises. The strength of our economy relies heavily on restoring strong relations with our neighboring countries, particularly the GCC nations, as they are essential to the growth of our industries, services, and tourism.
I am hopeful that 2025 will be a transition year if the government succeeds in implementing reforms and gaining international trust. As our industry is very much linked to the good health of our economy, I am expecting a positive impact not before 2026 or 2027 if Lebanon is engaged in positive transformation. However, instability, including challenges from the Syrian border, remains a significant hurdle.
In the meantime, our strategy remains to focus on providing state of the art professional risk and insurance solutions to key sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, transformation industries, agriculture, education, and retail. Geographical expansion within Lebanon is a priority, as we aim to extend our presence and solutions beyond large corporate clients to smaller businesses in all Lebanese territory. Additionally, we are investing in technology in 2025 to better serve corporate clients, personal lines, and to develop corporate and syndicates affinity solutions. MERICS has a rich history designing and managing bancassurance products, which have mostly been affected by the failure of banking services.
Regionally, Syria presents a significant “natural” growth opportunity for MERICS, contingent on stability in the coming years. We are actively exploring opportunities in other territories as well that can offer a strategic fit to MERICS’ capabilities and eventually complement WTW network.
BL: How does MERICS approach global risk management, particularly in balancing risk retention and transfer?
Salim Sehnaoui: At MERICS, our focus on risk retention and risk transfer is always client centered. We help clients understand their risks, which is critical because many lack a clear grasp of insurance and the financial or liability risks stemming from contractual obligations and professional liabilities. In Lebanon, there’s a significant gap in some industries where risks are not adequately covered as per legal liability requirements.
Our process begins with understanding the business model and specificities of our clients to map properly their risks’ profile. We then conduct a gap analysis to identify what risks the client is covered for under existing programs, what gaps exist in current coverages and what additional risks might need to be managed or transferred. From there, we determine their risk appetite, a concept that many clients find challenging. In the Middle East, the prevailing mindset is to retain minimal risk, but this approach is not always the most cost-effective, given the potentially high cost and expenses associated with risk transfer.
In recent years, Lebanon’s crisis has forced clients to reassess their risk appetite, especially as transferring risks has become increasingly expensive. This applies notably to political violence and certain financial solutions insurance programs, where market capacity became limited and expensive. We guide clients in crafting a balanced strategy of risk retention and transfer, ensuring the implementation is seamless and effective.
MERICS’ primary risks are related to errors and omissions, which is the most critical exposure in our industry. We have secured professional liability coverage worth ten times the average limit used in the industry. This investment underscores our commitment to quality and security.
BL: Could you share your vision for MERICS and its future in the brokerage and insurance sectors?
Salim Sehnaoui: MERICS has already established itself as one of Lebanon’s leading brokers, serving a prestigious clientele and commanding strong market recognition. Our ambition is to grow further in the Lebanese market and expand regionally. We remain partnered with WTW, leveraging their insurance solutions & services alongside other channels to enhance our offerings. Our goal is to solidify our leadership role and drive professionalism across the industry.
Insurance is a relation of trust. Our role in the coming years is to navigate between traditions and modernity to maintain this relation of trust while investing in new technologies and accepting change, adjusting to a new generation that is living the revolution of AI, that I believe will have a stronger and faster impact than the emergence of Internet.
Our vision at MERICS is to continue to lead and provide state of the art Risk & Insurance Broking services to clients in Lebanon and within our wider region with the support of WTW, help the market restructure and gain in professionalism, increase our presence in the region in alignment with WTW operations, and transform to embrace new technologies while maintaining the bond of trust and quality with our clients. Change is on the horizon, and MERICS will be at the forefront when it happens.
BL: How is MERICS addressing claims and customer demands while integrating advanced digital technologies?
Salim Sehnaoui: Claims management is a cornerstone of what we do at MERICS. We take full ownership of the claims process, handling everything from A to Z. This means managing every stakeholder involved, whether it’s lawyers, experts, loss adjustors, clients or insurers. Our unique wordings and complete control over the claims process are some of the key advantages we bring to the table.
Ultimately, the promise of a broker is tested when a claim arises. It is to settle in a fair and prompt way a claim, putting back the client in the same financial state he would have been before the claim. That’s when a client truly sees the value we add. Our clients, especially during Lebanon’s recent crises, the currency collapse, the Beirut blast, and other turbulent events—have witnessed our services and engagement firsthand. We don’t just promise to settle a claim; we deliver on that promise.
One of our critical strengths has been protecting our clients by formalizing agreements with insurers that outline how claims will be handled, addressing any operational processes, currency issues and providing timelines for settlement. This proactive approach ensured that even during times of chaos, our clients received indemnities that were higher than what the market provided.
At the time of an incident, MERICS’ teams will guide our clients to build the claims file as accurately as possible to have a clean settlement. But a claim to be well managed must be anticipated at the time of risk mapping, gap analysis, design of wording, placement, selection of insurer and capacity etc. Properly managing claims is done upfront any incident. Delivering our promise to clients will often win them for life, or at the very least, deepens their trust in MERICS.
When it comes to integrating technology, our focus is on streamlining and improving the claims process for individual clients and frequent claims. Our goal is to ensure there is always someone reachable, no matter the time or the need. We are investing at present in a new application to enhance efficiency and provide faster resolution for straightforward claims.
For larger, more complex claims, our process remains people driven. We engage with clients directly, guiding them from the moment a claim is declared until it is fully settled. This way, we balance the human touch with technological innovation to meet client demands effectively.
BL: Salim, in what ways is artificial intelligence transforming the insurance and reinsurance industries, and how is MERICS leveraging it to meet evolving customer needs?
Salim Sehnaoui: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a massive topic, and we are uncovering its potential daily. WTW are at the forefront of supporting insurers and reinsurers in decision-making. WTW recently introduced to the market “Radar Vision”, an AI-powered performance monitoring tool built for insurers, providing early, actionable insights across pricing, underwriting, and claims management. Traditionally, underwriting and predicting claims relied on historical data. AI is now reshaping this model by incorporating real-time parameters, such as inflation, competitors’ activities, client’s behaviour and other environmental factors, to build highly accurate predictive models.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, and the insurance sector is no exception. By leveraging AI, insurance companies can streamline operations, enhance customer experience, and improve risk assessment. Some key advantages of integrating AI into the insurance industry include, for example, improved risk assessment and underwriting, faster claims processing, fraud detection and prevention, enhanced customer experience and predictive analytics for market trends to name a few. As AI technology continues to evolve, insurers who embrace these innovations will gain a competitive edge, ensuring a smarter and more resilient future for the industry.
MERICS’ primary use of AI revolves around analyzing data and providing actionable insights. By examining large volumes of claims, we identify trends and offer feedback on preventative measures, particularly in medical wellness programs, to help clients optimize and sustain their plans. AI’s ability to manage large data is invaluable, especially when addressing market-specific challenges. For example, in Lebanon, factors like stress, water quality, and lack of security create unique patterns of claims specific to our environment. AI enables us to analyze these patterns effectively, extract key trends, and take informed actions.
We are also exploring how AI can streamline client servicing, speeding up delivery to assist clients more quickly. Essentially, AI pulls information from the internet &/or data we directly upload. By feeding it with all the correct information on policies conditions, wordings, and procedures, AI can generate instant, accurate answers to client queries. This initial “first layer” of response is often sufficient, but a human element remains vital. If AI doesn’t fully address the client’s concerns, our teams would step in to refine the answer or provide additional support. Although this is still a project, we believe it will soon become a valuable support to our client proposition.
However, I find AI both fascinating and worrisome. One of its limitations is its tendency to align with the bias or tone of the questions it is asked. This can be dangerous, especially for younger users, as AI often reinforces their perspective without offering contradiction or alternative viewpoints. That’s a concern when AI is used casually—like with conversational tools. But in controlled applications, such as analyzing trends or providing specific insights, it is an incredibly powerful tool.
BL: What are the major challenges facing the insurance industry, and how is MERICS positioned to tackle them globally and locally?
Salim Sehnaoui: Globally, the insurance industry is constantly adapting to change. Some of the main challenges include economic uncertainty and inflation, Regulatory changes and compliance, Technological disruption and cybersecurity risks and of course climate change and increasing natural disasters. For example, many predictive models for natural catastrophes have been off the mark in recent years, and this had significant consequences for insurers. Higher losses are forcing reinsurers to raise prices and tightening terms (or sometimes exiting specific markets), forcing primary insurers to either absorb more risk or pass costs &/or restricted policy conditions onto customers.
In Lebanon, the situation is even more complex, and that’s where MERICS is heavily focused. Lebanon has experienced profound crises including governance crisis, currency devaluation, the Beirut blast, political violence under many forms, and a pervasive cash economy. These factors have driven some key reinsurers to reduce their involvement in the Lebanese market due to compliance concerns. Lebanon is a small market, and the regulatory demands of reinsurers make it incredibly difficult to manage in view of the outcome. As a result, we’ve lost some excellent reinsurers, and while some remain, they are hesitant to take on new businesses. Maintaining sufficient capacity, particularly at an acceptable rating to serve our large clients is one of our greatest challenges.
Like in any country, Lebanon’s insurance industry is deeply intertwined with the country’s economy. Many insurers having commercial banks as part of their shareholding structure heavily relied on bancassurance, which has now diminished to become almost inexistant. Lebanon multiple crisis hit most of our industries hard, with declines in imports & exports, reduced tourism, reduction or cancellation of real estate and industrial projects, relocation to neighbouring countries of international companies’ employees in the many service segments, and so on. Consumer purchasing power has also plummeted, forcing individuals to downgrade medical plans or forego proper car insurance. Political violence has made coverage inaccessible for many, further shrinking the industry’s scope.
The poor state of our economy has affected all lines of insurance, including marine, engineering, health, property & casualty, financial lines, and personal lines. Essentially, as insurers safeguard the economy, its decline directly impacted their underwriting premiums. In response to the crisis, many insurers became overly aggressive in their pricing strategies. Lebanon, historically a higher-margin market compared to its regional counterparts, saw insurers lose significant margins.
The shift from half “Lollars” (Local USD frozen in Lebanese banks) payments to “fresh” dollars, the high inflation and the lack of underwriting visibility added to the negative impact on insurers’ financial results. Insurers have been facing pressing challenges, particularly in adjusting their capacity and reinsurance arrangements. Renewing treaties has been difficult this year, as several reinsurers have exited the Lebanese market entirely.
However, there’s hope for recovery. A resurgence in exports, imports, tourism and local projects could generate growth for the entire industry. With some stability returning to the market, the industry now faces the critical task of reassessing portfolios, underwriting strategies, and adjusting with Lebanon’s post-crisis realities. It’s time for insurers to conduct thorough analyses of past trends and adjust their approach to restore both profitability and growth. While the path forward is challenging, addressing these issues thoughtfully will help the industry rebuild.
At MERICS, we are committed to addressing these challenges by maintaining the interest of international markets in Lebanon. Clean, reliable capacity is critical to serving our clients effectively. As brokers, our role extends beyond simply adapting to these issues—we aim to advocate for change, foster trust, and ensure our clients receive the highest quality service in an incredibly tough environment.
BL: What’s the ideal number of brokers t in Lebanon?
Salim Sehnaoui: There isn’t an ideal number, but consider this: in the UAE, there are approximately two times less registered brokers serving a market that is approximately ten times the size of ours. In Lebanon, the definition of the roles & responsibilities of a broker is not clear as some are pure intermediaries selling insurers’ products and others can offer a more complete scope of services.
Our dedicated MERICS teams are fully equipped to perform in-depth audits, risk mapping, and advisory program structures. We tailor policy wording to each industry and client while delivering comprehensive claim management, a crucial aspect of our service. Each insurance line and risk area are managed by specialized teams, and for particularly complex topics, we leverage the expertise of WTW specialists dedicated to specific industries or insurance lines.
An adjustment of our regulatory framework would engage our industry into a much-needed consolidation and have larger, more professional brokers to better serve the Lebanese market. At present, Lebanese customers cannot always be certain whether their broker is properly controlled, financially stable, or operating under agreements that meet regulatory requirements. This leaves both clients and insurers unprotected.
BL: How would you evaluate Lebanon’s current insurance regulations, and what constructive changes would you recommend addressing the industry’s pressing obstacles?
Salim Sehnaoui: The lack of regulation for brokers and agents in Lebanon is a significant problem. The laws governing brokers are outdated and the most recent change in regulation is over 25 years old. This regulatory gap makes it difficult to ensure professionalism in the industry.
Currently, there is no significant requirement for minimum capital & security, nor adequate governance or professional obligations. Expertise is not a prerequisite to operate as a licensed broker. This regulatory gap starkly contrasts with neighboring markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where stringent regulations have propelled the industry forward over the past 15 years. Unfortunately, Lebanon has stagnated during the same period, leaving both corporate and individual clients exposed to risks.
In Lebanon, we face significant challenges due to the lack of entry barriers for insurance brokers. Despite the relatively small size of the insurance market, the country is saturated with intermediaries, with approximately 500 brokers and 800 agents. The industry’s fragmentation highlights the urgent need for regulatory reform that would lead to its consolidation.
The lack of strong regulations remains a major obstacle. Whether Lebanon’s new government will prioritize this issue remains uncertain, but reform is essential. Once a leader in the regional insurance industry, Lebanon must now take decisive steps to bridge the gap and regain its standing.
BL: What are your views on marine insurance, aviation insurance, and oil and gas insurance?
Salim Sehnaoui: These industries are highly specialized, each requiring distinct expertise. WTW is a leader in Aviation risks, insuring most airports in the region—although not in Lebanon. From our office in Lebanon, we wouldn’t tackle aviation insurance without the support from WTW Aviation team.
Marine insurance is a highly specialized field as well. While we manage cargo insurance, vessel insurance is an entirely distinct domain that demands deep expertise and access to a global network. During my time in the UAE, I worked on major fleets of large vessels, collaborating with teams in London, and other key markets to underwrite Club P&I and hull coverage. However, Lebanon lacks the scale to develop real expertise in this area, making regional and international support indispensable.
Oil and gas insurance is equally complex. Our natural resources teams specialize in this sector, with sub-specialists covering downstream and upstream segments, utilities, and renewable energy. The risks and markets in this field are highly specific, requiring a thorough understanding of capacity and financial intricacies. In Lebanon, our involvement is primarily limited to property-related coverage for gas stations and terminals. For complex risks, specialized knowledge is essential. To address this, we collaborate with WTW’s regional experts based in Dubai and London, ensuring our clients receive tailored solutions that align with their needs. We had done a training seminar with ACAL on the Lebanese Oil & Gas Insurance energy pool in 2017 that grouped more than 100 professionals.
One of MERICS’ key strengths, is our access to global resources and specialized expertise, backed by WTW. This independence allows us to bypass reliance on local insurers when they lack the necessary specialization. While local insurers front risks placed within the Lebanese market, their capacity can be limited. However, whenever they demonstrate an appetite and can provide meaningful support, we ensure their involvement. Our approach to complex risks is built on a balance of collaboration with local insurers while leveraging WTW’s expertise, underwriting capabilities, and market insights to deliver bespoke solutions.
BL: What insights can you share about the three major phenomena identified in the analysis of economic and insured losses from natural disasters during 2024-2025, and their devastating impacts?
Salim Sehnaoui: As I mentioned earlier, we are witnessing profound global shifts that present major challenges for the insurance industry. One of the most critical factors in navigating these changes is the role of artificial intelligence (AI). Traditionally, underwriting and risk management have relied on decades of historical data—spanning 30, 50, or even 100 years—to identify trends. However, the pace of change has accelerated dramatically. What once took half a century to unfold now happens within just a few years, making traditional predictive models increasingly unreliable.
This rapid transformation is evident across various sectors. For example, past climate predictions have consistently underestimated the speed of environmental changes. Temperature increases and extreme weather patterns are occurring far faster than anticipated. The impact is already visible locally—Lebanon’s winter has been unusually erratic, with snow one day and soaring temperatures of 32 degrees just two days later. Such fluctuations underscore the growing instability in global weather patterns.
For insurers, the consequences are significant. We are already seeing rising minimum deductibles for natural catastrophes like earthquakes, as insurers seek to protect themselves from mounting risks. The recent flooding in Dubai was a prime example of how unprepared insurers can be—many were caught off guard, even at the stop-loss level, by the scale of the event. Similar patterns are emerging worldwide, from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey to the hurricanes in the US or other losses in Asia and Africa, where natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe.
In developed markets, where a large portion of the population is insured, the financial strain on insurers is even greater. Take the California wildfires, for example, widespread insurance coverage led to enormous payouts, with an estimated loss of $250 billion, making it one of the most costly natural disasters in U.S. history and putting immense pressure on global insurance capacity and underwriting. These challenges inevitably ripple down to local markets, including Lebanon, where insurers must contend with shifting risk landscapes.
BL: How is MERICS navigating Lebanon’s economic shifts, including the impact of currency devaluation and rising medical costs, to support both clients and insurers?
Salim Sehnaoui: I believe we managed the crisis quite effectively. From the outset of the currency devaluation, we worked closely with insurers to establish clear agreements regarding settlements and premiums. This ensured that indemnities were determined upfront, regardless of fluctuations. We also took the time to educate our clients on the mechanics of their policies, claims processes, and how these were being affected by inflation and economic shifts.
One of the major challenges we face today relates to inflation in medical insurance stemming from the transition from “Lollar” to fresh dollars and the underwriting strategies used by insurers over the last couple of years to safeguard their portfolio & top line. Inflation was not properly impacted on renewals, until an adjustment became necessary but at an increase in rates difficult for clients to digest, especially that there is no sign of convalescence of the economy yet. In addition to the cumulating impact of two years of inflation, Hospitals are requesting to increase their fees by another 15% that is under discussions with Insurers at the time of this interview.
This situation presents a dual challenge: explaining these increases to clients and helping them manage their budgets. At MERICS, the priority for our clients is ensuring the sustainability of medical programs because volatility benefits no one. To address this, we focus on educating clients about market trends and guiding them toward continuous adjustments while promoting preventive measures and wellness programs. The aim is to minimize disruption and ensure the long-term sustainability of their plans.
BL: How does MERICS maintain a balance between preserving traditional industry values and embracing digital transformation?
Salim Sehnaoui: Values remain fundamental, regardless of whether an organization is digital or not. For us, values such as Integrity, Respect, Excellence, Teamwork, and Client Focus are at the core of our operations. They are featured prominently on our website and remain unchanged by technological shifts. Digital transformation should not alter these principles. Instead, it should serve as a tool to enhance the client value proposition, making it more effective and efficient.
If technology or artificial intelligence were to compromise these values, it would be cause for concern. The role of digital transformation is to improve how we operate and serve our clients, not to redefine the ethical foundation of our business. Our commitment to these values ensures continuity even as we embrace innovation.
BL: What insights can you offer on the importance of partnerships, such as the one MERICS holds with an established international insurance broker, in enhancing client services?
Salim Sehnaoui: Partnerships play a crucial role in ensuring access to both security and services. Many of our clients in Lebanon are managed through our international network partner across various territories, just as we manage global clients locally. MERICS has been integrated into this network for 30 years, but it was only recently that MERICS became an independent network partner due to circumstances involving WTW. This shift was partly driven by the challenges posed by Lebanon’s cash economy and financial sector complexities.
Our partnerships allow us to support our clients wherever their needs take them. If a client is entering a new market, we can provide the necessary resources. For industry-specific risks, we identify and deliver tailored solutions with precise wording to address their unique requirements.
Compliance and security are other significant advantages. As part of WTW, we adhere to strict regulations, including codes of conduct, anti-money laundering controls, and third-party due diligence. These frameworks, coupled with regular employee training, ensure that our clients—whether corporate or individual—receive service of the highest international standards within a secure and sustainable environment.
When clients work with MERICS, they know they are partnering with a provider capable of delivering solutions that align with best practices globally. This combination of compliance, expertise, and partnership elevates the level of service we offer in an increasingly complex insurance landscape.
BL: How is MERICS fostering strong client relationships amidst heightened competition in the MENA region?
Salim Sehnaoui: MERICS distinguishes itself from competitors through its robust client engagement plan. Unlike traditional brokers who focus on selling products, we prioritize partnerships with our clients. We work alongside them to define and understand their risks and risk appetite, crafting tailor-made solutions that address their specific needs. This partnership approach extends far beyond renewal periods—it’s a year-round collaboration.
Our involvement goes deeper, offering induction sessions to help corporate and individual clients understand their medical plans and policies. Clients recognize that our service is entirely different from that of an insurer. Unlike merely providing market-standard products, we advocate for their interests, crafting conditions and solutions uniquely tailored to them. This level of customization and service builds trust and loyalty. Many of our clients have been with us for years, and our ability to provide a unique value proposition continues to set us apart in the market.
BL: What advice would you give to industry leaders navigating the complexities of Lebanon’s insurance and economic landscapes today?
Salim Sehnaoui: Those already operating in Lebanon understand the challenges they are living through the same turmoil. My advice to industry leaders is to unite in pushing for enhanced regulations. Comprehensive regulatory reforms are essential to protect all stakeholders, rebuild trust among international players and insurers, and reestablish confidence among clients. A consolidated and well-regulated market is the foundation needed to modernize and restructure the industry.
Lebanon has fallen significantly behind its regional neighbors in professionalism and governance. Catching up will require a collective effort, with all industry leaders working in the same direction. Together, we must strive to elevate standards to align with the advanced practices seen in neighboring countries.
