Munich Re has opened its new representative office in Bangkok, as part of its commitment to serve its Thailand-based clients in the long term.

“We see Thailand as a strategic growth market in Southeast Asia, where we have made a long term commitment to our clients,” said Roland Eckl, CEO of Munich Re Asia-Pacific (Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia). “This new milestone will enable us to enhance our existing relationships with local and international insurers and develop new partnerships here in 2019 and beyond.”

Alongside the opening of the office, the Germany-based insurance giant appointed Lucien Heijstee as chief representative for Thailand. He joined Munich Re from Thaivivat Insurance Pcl., where he was executive vice president for underwriting and reinsurance, as well as member of the board of management for close to a decade. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Munich Re Group in various management roles at Euro-Center (Thailand).

“With his long standing experience and deep knowledge of the Thai market, Lucien is well positioned to understand our clients’ needs,” said Eckl. “He will connect them to the broad range of global capabilities we offer across traditional reinsurance, capital management solutions, data analytics and cyber protection services.”