Generali Pilipinas brings together three big names in 21st century commerce: Assicurazioni Generali of Italy, the Kuok Group of Malaysia, and the SM Group of the Philippines. The Joint Venture Agreement among the three determined partners was signed on 26 March 1999 paving the way for the creation of Generali Pilipinas Holding Company that became the springboard for establishing Generali Pilipinas Life Assurance Company and Generali Pilipinas Insurance Company in September 1999. Generali Pilipinas was formally launched on 9 March 2000 with Assicurazioni Generali Managing Director Fabio Cerchiai, then General Manager for International Operations Sergio Balbinot, Mr. Henry Sy of the SM Group, Datuk Khor Chin Poey of Jerneh Asia Berhad and the Kuok Group, and then Insurance Commissioner Eduardo Malinis in attendance.