Description: In November 2011, a number of associations, including the American Council of Life Insurers [ACLI], filed comments with the Brazilian regulatory authority urging Brazil to stop restricting reinsurance access to only domestic reinsurers in one of the world’s leading emerging markets for insurance. This article examines the background and legitimacy of this complaint.

Description: Feature article discussing the major issues multinational reinsurers face in Brazil.

Description: This article discusses the closed nature of the Brazilian reinsurance market due to the IRB. The Instituto de Resseguros do Brasil is owned 50% by the 15 insurance companies that are licensed to do business in Brazil and 50% by the Government of Brazil, but the Government owns 100% of the voting shares. All reinsurance business must be transacted with and via the IRB. The process, opportunities and risks associated with this scheme are explored.