Comparing Modern Strategies Against Traditional Business

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF significantly outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products attracting new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.

Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary developments or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on worldwide luxury and customer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.

Corporate Planning for Regional Success

In spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, preserving favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.

3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Driving Operational Excellence in the GCC

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments expand investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps targeted at drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play a helpful function in 2026.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more positive overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the area materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Navigating the 2026 Regional Business Environment for Executives

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures intended at attracting foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.