Corporate Planning for Regional Leadership

The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items drawing in new capital.

Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays durable and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.

Essential Insights From Latest GCC Market Analysis Reports

Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate durability, preserving positive development momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader area and global financial uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global growth relieving 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 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 threat conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

Advanced Strategy for GCC Excellence

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as governments broaden financial 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures intended at attracting foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected 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 relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the region 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 relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Why Is Business Excellence Vital for Future Expansion?

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

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures focused on attracting foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.