हिमालयन रि इन्स्योरेन्सको व्यवसायिक यात्रा चुनौतिपूर्ण रहेको एमबेष्टको ठहर (प्रतिवेदनसहित)

काठमाडौं । विश्वकै प्रख्यात रेटिङ एजेन्सी एम बेष्टबाट हिमालयन रि इन्स्योरेन्स कम्पनीले समग्रमा ‘बी’ रेटिङ प्राप्त गरेको छ । एमबेष्टको विश्लेषणमा हिमालयन रि इन्स्योरेन्स कम्पनीलाई सुरुवाती वर्षमा कडा चुनौतिको सामना गर्नुपर्ने विश्लेषण गरेको छ ।

एमबेष्टले बीमा समितिको निर्णयको साहारामा घरेलु व्यवसाय गरेकोमा समेत प्रश्न चिन्ह उठाएको छ । एमबेष्टले हिमालय रि इन्स्योरेन्सको आम्दानीको मुख्य स्रोत पुनर्बीमा व्यवसाय भन्दा पनि लगानीबाट प्राप्त ब्याज हुने प्रक्षेपण गरेको छ ।

लामो समयको बीमाको लागि बीबी प्लस रेटिङ निर्माण गरेको एमबेष्टले व्यवसायको आकार निकै सानो रहेको औल्याएको छ । नेपालको साना बजारमा हिमालयन रि इन्स्योरेन्स कम्पनीको भविष्य खासै नदेखे पनि छोटो अवधीमा नै उल्लेख्य प्रगति गर्न सक्ने जनाएको छ ।

एमबेष्टले हिमालयन रिलाई कम जोखिमयुक्त लगानीको पोर्टफोलियो बनाउन सुझाव दिँदै मुद्दति निक्षेप तथा सरकारी ऋणपत्रमा मात्रै सीमित रहन सुझाव दिइएको छ । एमबेष्टले हिमालयन रि इन्स्योरेन्स कम्पनीले ठूलो मात्रामा जोखिम लिएर कम मात्रामा रेट्रोसेसन गरेको औल्याएको छ ।

संक्षिप्त प्रतिवेदन

FEBRUARY 11, 2022 09:34 AM (EST)

AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Himalayan Reinsurance Limited

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SINGAPORE – FEBRUARY 11, 2022 09:34 AM (EST)
AM Best has assigned a Financial Strength Rating of B (Fair) and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “bb+” (Fair) to Himalayan Reinsurance Limited (Himalayan Re) (Nepal). The outlook assigned to these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Himalayan Re’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

Himalayan Re’s balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by risk-adjusted capitalisation that is expected to remain at the strongest level for its first five years of operations, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). AM Best views the company’s initial capitalisation of NPR 7 billion (USD 59 million) in paid-up capital to be supportive of the company’s planned growth over its five-year start-up phase. Additionally, financial flexibility is expected to be enhanced by the company’s plan for public listing over the near to medium term. AM Best expects the company to maintain a low-risk investment portfolio, with a majority allocation to cash and term deposits, and the remainder mostly in fixed income securities. Offsetting balance sheet considerations include the company’s exposure to severe catastrophe events, albeit the risk is mitigated in part through the use of retrocession.

AM Best views the company’s operating performance as adequate. As a start-up reinsurer, operating performance is exposed to potential volatility arising from elevated operational risk and business execution risk. Himalayan Re’s underwriting performance is projected to face negative pressure in the early years, in part driven by high initial expenses and a lack of business scale, although a gradual improvement is expected. Underwriting performance will also depend heavily on the company’s ability to source good quality domestic business. Investment returns, mainly from interest income, are expected to be a key driver of earnings, particularly in the earlier years.

Himalayan Re’s business profile is assessed as limited. As a new domestic reinsurer, the second in the Nepal’s market, Himalayan Re lacks an established market position and is expected to face increasing competition as it grows its market share. AM Best expects the company’s business growth to benefit from regulatory developments, including a first right of refusal to domestic reinsurance business that has been provided to domestic reinsurers, including Himalayan Re. The underwriting portfolio is expected to show line of business concentration toward property and engineering risks. In addition, the company will have a geographic concentration to Nepal, albeit with a gradual diversification planned over time.

AM Best views the company’s ERM framework as adequate supported by a risk governance structure that has been put in place, and risk management policies and procedures, which are expected to be refined over time. Risk management capabilities are supported by an experienced management team that brings technical expertise and relevant industry experience.