Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (TSX:FFH) said Tuesday that it has received preliminary regulatory approval to establish of a new property and casualty insurance company in Brazil.

The company plans to carry out its operations across Brazil, in all lines of commercial business, with a primary focus on property, energy, casualty, surety, marine, financial lines, special risks, hull and aviation.

Fairfax has received preliminary regulatory approval from the Superintendence of Private Insurance in Brazil (SUSEP) for the establishment of a new wholly owned Brazilian property and casualty insurance company, Fairfax Brasil Seguros Corporativos S.A.

“We are pleased to be starting a new insurance venture in the vibrant Brazilian market with a highly respected and successful Brazilian insurance visionary, Jacques Bergman.” said Prem Watsa, chairman and CEO.

“Jacques has one of the best track records in the Brazilian commercial insurance market. We look forward to working with Jacques as President of our new venture, Fairfax Brasil, and the many accomplished professionals on his management team to develop the new business and its products.”

Bergman, president of Fairfax Brasil, has over 20 years experience in the Brazilian insurance market, with over 10 years working at various positions in Itau Seguros. Most recently Bergman was the Chief Operating Officer of Itau XL Seguros Corporativos S.A., one of the largest commercial insurers in Brazil.

“We are excited to be starting this new venture with a world-class organization such as Fairfax,” said Bergman. “With our collective combination of many years of successful experience in Brazilian insurance and Fairfax’s wealth of insurance and investment experience around the world we look forward to building a tremendous success story in the growing Brazilian insurance market.”

Fairfax Brasil is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil and will have initial capital of 65 million Reais ($39.8 million).

IE