Emerging Trends in the 2026 Middle East Economy

Inform strategy with proof: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your tactical direction. Confirm financial investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity 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 program reinforces global financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign free trade pact 'very quickly'," 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 investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is releasing a new regular monthly conference room 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.

How to Utilize GCC Intelligence for 2026 Growth

This inaugural session unites board specialists to analyze the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber durability Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally creating a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, trends, and methods provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.

Advanced Planning for Regional Excellence

Overall possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.

The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.

Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country direct exposures and commodities, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid greater oil rates, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

How Does Operational Excellence Vital for 2026 Expansion?

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

The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on performance.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Crucial Findings Within Latest GCC Market Research Reports

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

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.

Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining favorable growth momentum recently. While disputes in the broader region and international financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.