Economic Development Board chief executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa welcomed the latest addition to Bahrain's financial sector, Zurich Insurance Company (ZIC).

The international firm was granted a general insurance licence by the Central Bank of Bahrain to operate from Bahrain and expand its activities throughout the Gulf region to provide services to a larger corporate client-base.

Shaikh Mohammed said: "We are delighted to welcome ZIC to open a branch in Bahrain. Their expertise and experience will be warmly welcomed."

Zurich Financial Services, headquartered in Zurich was founded in 1884 and has had a presence in Bahrain since 1983 through subsidiaries including Zurich Insurance Services (Middle East) and Zurich International Life.

The recent addition of ZIC to Bahrain's insurance sector is also testament to the Economic Development Board's efforts to attract international companies to bring world-class services to Bahrain and the wider region.