Strategic Planning for Regional Leadership

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

The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allotment instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in brand-new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the situation.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.

How Is Business Excellence Vital for 2026 Expansion?

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the wider region and international financial uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up 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 general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks worldwide development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Strategic Planning for Middle East Excellence

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 increase as governments expand financial investment in services, facilities, 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 investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures aimed at bring in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent usually in 2025, showing a shift toward more favorable total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Ways to Utilize GCC Research for 2026 Success

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct financial investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, expanding 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 dominate the growth outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play an encouraging role in 2026.