Expanding Industrial Growth Across Dubai and the GCC

The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF significantly exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation instead of broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.

Trading activity stayed steady, 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 happened in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without significant primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to handle the circumstance.

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

Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

How to Leverage GCC Research for Growth

Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving positive growth momentum in current years. While conflicts in the broader area and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Ways to Utilize Market Research for 2026 Success

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 broaden financial investment in services, facilities, and innovation. 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 technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures focused on bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the area's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are anticipated to play a supportive function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 3.2 percent development 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, showing a shift toward more favorable total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place 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 local danger conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Corporate Strategy for Regional Leadership

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as governments expand financial 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 increasing investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on attracting foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.