Managing the 2026 GCC Economic Environment for Executives

Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to guide your strategic instructions. Validate investment strategies: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances international economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'really soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double annual US investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards across Africa are going into a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.

Ways to Utilize GCC Intelligence for 2026 Success

This inaugural session combines board professionals to examine the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulative and governance expectations Technology interruption and cyber durability Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, threat oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately producing a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.

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Expanding Industrial Operations Within Dubai and the GCC

The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying elevated however development slowing. Total possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough backdrop.

The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid higher oil costs, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.

How to Leverage Market Research for Success

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

The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How Does Business Excellence Vital for Future Expansion?

Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant main creations or redemptions.

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

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

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the larger area and global financial uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have up until now limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.