Driving Corporate Operations Within Dubai and the GCC

The sector likewise dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance 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 new capital.

Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without considerable primary creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains durable and well capitalized to handle the situation.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and consumer 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 expected to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.

Driving Strategic Excellence in the Middle East

Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, preserving positive growth momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and global financial uncertainty stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth predicted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative 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 position the area 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 remain contained and reform momentum holds.

Ways to Leverage Market Research for Growth

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal 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, facilities, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures focused on drawing in foreign direct investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil earnings are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global 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 growth would put the region materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions remain consisted of and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Advanced Strategy for Regional Excellence

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is projected 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 infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps targeted at attracting foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil earnings are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.