Independent pan-Asia reinsurer set to open

SINGAPORE--The first exclusively pan-Asia focused independent reinsurer has obtained $620 million in capital funding and will open in Singapore, according to its investors.

London-based 3i, a private equity and venture capital firm, and Khazanah Nasional Berhad, the investment arm of the government of Malaysia, last week said they had completed raising the capital on behalf of Asia Capital Holding. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Asia Capital Reinsurance Group, has been granted registration as a reinsurer by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, according to 3i and Khazanah.

The reinsurer has an A- financial strength rating from Oldwick, N.J.-based A.M. Best Co.

Asia Capital Re will focus on specialty lines of reinsurance in the large-risks segment such as aviation, marine, energy, large infrastructure and engineering projects across Asia, according to 3i and Khazanah.

Asia Capital Re co-founders John Tan and Heini Buergi are the reinsurer's chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively.