NATIONS
Distr.
GENERAL
TRADE/2001/15
1 May 2001
ENGLISH AND FRENCH ONLY
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR EUROPE
COMMITTEE FOR TRADE, INDUSTRY AND
ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Fifth session, 13-15 June 2001
Item 4 of the provisional agenda
The economic importance of insurance in Central and Eastern Europe and the impact of globalisation and e-business
by Esther Baur, Ulrike Birkmaier, Marco Rüstmann
Swiss Re, Economic Research & Consulting, Zurich1
1. Introduction 2 - 3
2. The economic importance of insurance 3 - 10 2.1. The role of insurance for economic development 3 - 4 2.2. Insurance spending in Central and Eastern Europe 4 - 10
3. The role of foreign insurers 11 - 15 3.1. Benefits and challenges of market access liberalisation 11 - 13 3.2. Progress on market liberalisation in Central and Eastern Europe 13 3.3. Foreign insurers’ presence in Central and Eastern Europe 14 - 15 4. The impact of e-business 15 - 23 4.1. E-business trends in insurance 16 - 18 4.2. Which e-business models will prove successful? 18 - 21 4.3. How does e-business affect competition? 21 - 22 4.4. E-business prospects in Central and Eastern Europe
5. Conclusions 23 - 24
6. Bibliography 24 - 25
GE. 01-
1. Introduction
1.1. Focus and structure of the study
Efficient insurance markets are an essential basis for the transition countries in Central and Eastern Europe to achieve integration into the global economy and sustainable strong economic growth. With their capacity, capital and know-how, global insurers play a major role in the establishment of an efficient insurance sector. In conjunction with the forces of global consolidation, current advances in information technology and the potential of e-business mark the beginning of a veritable efficiency revolution in the insurance industry.
The following study initially examines the role insurance plays in economic growth and the current
Bibliography: Morgan Stanley Dean Witter: “The Internet and Financial Services”, January 31, 2000. Skipper, H.D.: “Foreign insurers in emerging markets: Issues and concerns”, IIF Occasional Paper, Number 1, 1997.