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Corporate Planning for Middle East Success

Published Aug 21, 26
5 min read


Notify method with evidence: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and customer need to guide your tactical direction. Confirm investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take definitive action.

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1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual United States investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards throughout Africa are going into a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In action, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new regular monthly boardroom dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.

Why Does Business Excellence Crucial for Future Expansion?

This inaugural session brings together board practitioners to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber durability Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a repeating forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

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Managing the 2026 GCC Economic Landscape for Leaders

The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated however growth slowing down. Overall assets held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.

The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of greater oil rates, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.

Why Is Business Excellence Crucial for 2026 Expansion?

Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF substantially outperformed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while minimizing or turning out of others.

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How Is Business Excellence Vital for Future Expansion?

Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area stays resistant and well capitalized to handle the scenario.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, keeping positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have so far restricted their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.

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