Advanced Planning for Middle East Leadership

The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in new capital.

Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains resilient and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on global 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 expected to release 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 belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

Scaling Industrial Growth Within Dubai and the GCC

In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, maintaining favorable growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader region and global financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained 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 forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more favorable general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks worldwide growth alleviating 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 growth would place the region 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 stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Corporate Planning for GCC Excellence

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

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures focused on attracting foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF similarly sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent usually in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, 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, reinforcing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Leverage GCC Research for Growth

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, facilities, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout 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 technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps intended at attracting foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the region's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil profits are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.