Corporate Planning for Regional Excellence

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in brand-new capital.

Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without considerable main productions or redemptions.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to release in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected sentiment and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.

Navigating the Upcoming GCC Business Landscape for Leaders

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While conflicts in the broader region and global financial uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent typically in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced 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, reinforcing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Ways to Utilize Market Research for Success

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, 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 innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at attracting foreign direct investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated 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 region materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Utilize GCC Research for Success

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, infrastructure, 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, improving credit conditions, and increasing investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures intended at bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.