Argo Group International Holdings Ltd has announced the formation of an new insurance operation in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).The new company Argo Re (DIFC) Ltd is a subsidiary of Argo Re Ltd in Bermuda, and a fully-licensed insurance manager and intermediary in Dubai.The operation, which will serve as Argo Group’s hub for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region, will focus initially on casualty, professional and financial lines insurance.Regional chief underwriting officer Lina Hantas and casualty underwriting manager Samir Hemsi will lead the operation.“A presence in the MENA market is a key component of our international expansion strategy,” said Argo Group CEO Mark Watson. “Dubai represents one of the world’s fastest growing global financial centres and a local presence there serves to enhance the scale, flexibility and value we offer to our customers.”Argo Group chief underwriting officer Andrew Carrier said: “I’m excited about the strength of our new underwriting team in Dubai and their local knowledge of the MENA Region.“I’m confident that Lina and Samir will make a positive impact through new and existing relationships with brokers and insurers as we offer an expanded product line in an important growing market.”Argo Re chief underwriting officer Nigel Mortimer said: “Combine our strong financial rating with the best-in-class team we’ve hired, add the ability to leverage our global platform, and you have a unique franchise one which can protect our clients and their exposures so that they can focus on building strong businesses in this dynamic and evolving legal environment.”The product suite Argo Group will offer in the MENA Region will consist of a broad range of casualty, professional and financial lines coverages, including major construction projects and energy risks.Dubai is the latest international business centre in which Argo Group has established operations, following the opening of offices in Paris and Sao Paulo earlier this year.Ms Hantas will be responsible for building, developing and underwriting the liability book of business for Argo in the Middle East and North Africa region. She has worked in the insurance sector since 2003 and has a wide array of experience in liability in the MENA Region.Mr Hemsi will be responsible for building, developing and underwriting the professional liability and casualty book of business for Argo in Dubai and Jordan. He has worked in the insurance sector in the region since 2004 with experience in professional liability, casualty and property insurance.