Emerging Shifts in the Future Middle East Economy

Notify technique with proof: Use independent data on market confidence, development, and client need to assist your tactical instructions. Verify financial investment plans: Ensure resource allocation and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement 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 Major Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program strengthens global economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign open market pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual US investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.

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Managing the 2026 GCC Business Environment for Executives

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ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Strategic Strategy for GCC Excellence

The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity staying raised however growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.

The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional trend. Oil related assets did well for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active but 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, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs amid higher oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

Major Trends in the 2026 Middle East Market

Egypt delivered strong performance 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items attracting new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Ways to Leverage Market Intelligence for 2026 Success

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

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on worldwide 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 release in April pending a final approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local properties.

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving favorable development momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.