Driving Industrial Operations Across Dubai and the GCC

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

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

Trading activity remained stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure concentrated on global luxury 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 launch in April pending a last approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Effective Tips for Optimizing Dubai Industrial Growth

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth alleviating 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 comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would place 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 reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Corporate Planning for Regional Excellence

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually 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 predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures focused on attracting foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement 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 profits are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs worldwide development reducing 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 growth would put the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing 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+

Strategic Strategy for GCC Excellence

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is predicted 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 remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures intended at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.