Markel to enter Asian market

LONDON— Markel International Ltd., the London-based arm of Markel Corp., has announced plans for its first foray into the Asian market.

Markel, via Markel Syndicate 3000, is to use Lloyd's of London's Asia platform to open an office in Singapore— subject to approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore — during the fourth quarter of 2007, the company said.

The office will concentrate on writing energy and casualty business, with a view to broadening its product offering over time, it noted.