1.   Westrate said reinsurers, who provide financial support for insurance companies, can enter the sector with little overhead.

2.   Private companies have not been allowed to enter the sector, regarded as politically sensitive.

3.   But Inoguchi, who is also president of Mitsui Marine and Fire Insurance Co. Ltd., said he would oppose plans to let banks immediately enter the sector.

4.   Company officials from two other firms allowed to enter the sector -- Seba Telecom and IM International -- said their services would be launched shortly.

5.   Earlier, Mitsubishi Electric Corp. said it has plans to enter the sector.

6.   The region then came under French control and French troops barred the RPF from entering the sector up to the French withdrawal in late August.

7.   The United States says Japanese subsidiaries should not be allowed to enter the sector until the rest of the insurance market is sufficiently deregulated to allow fair competition.

8.   Japanese steelmakers and chemical producers are likely to enter the sector once it is opened up, as many operate large private generators at their plants.