Aon, the country's largest provider

Aon, the country's largest provider of risk management, insurance and reinsurance brokerage, anticipates more than 20 per cent growth in business over the next couple years, due to the launch of the government's mega-projects, its CEO in Thailand Andrew C Bentley told The Nation last week.
"We have had a presence in Thailand for the past 45 years and during that time, Aon has witnessed a year-on-year growth of between 15 to 20 per cent. Most of our clients are long-term with some having stayed with us for more than a decade," he said.
However, Bentley believes the growth target for the company "is not enough" and said the infrastructure programme under the government's mega-projects scheme presented huge opportunities for Aon.
Over the next seven years the government plans to spend about Bt2 trillion on infrastructure development, which would include high-speed rail links as well as roads and power plants. The projects are expected to boost the country's economic growth and stimulate local business. As a result, Aon would also gain business indirectly, Bentley said.
In addition, Thailand's growing middle-class will play a key role in driving the economy, not only in Thailand but throughout Asia. Moreover, with the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015, demand for risk management, insurance, reinsurance, and other related business in Aon's portfolio, would grow accordingly, he said.
The CEO added that although the company's insurance business in Asia was small compared with other parts of the world, the Asian market was still very important.
"Our company enjoys healthy and robust growth in this region because of the rapid growth in Asian economies compared to the US and European markets. This region currently contributes about 10 to 12 per cent of our total earnings. We hope to double this figure in the next five years," he said.
He added that there were many developing countries in Asia where Aon had a presence due to the growing need for infrastructure development. Foreign ventures were also supporting the trend by investing in Asia's building manufacturers.
"Wherever our clients go, we will also establish business to support our clients," he stressed