Corporate Strategy for Regional Leadership

The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end 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 expected to introduce in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

How to Leverage GCC Intelligence for Success

Despite continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining favorable development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the wider area and international financial uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development predicted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and a little 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 remain contained and reform momentum holds.

How to Utilize GCC Intelligence for 2026 Success

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

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil incomes are anticipated to play a helpful function in 2026.

3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place the region materially ahead of the world average and slightly 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 stay contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Advanced Planning for Middle East Leadership

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as federal governments expand financial investment in services, facilities, 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, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures intended at bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play a helpful role in 2026.