Expanding Corporate Operations Within Dubai and the GCC

The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF significantly surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance instead of broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products drawing in new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular direct exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions.

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

Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has impacted sentiment and prices during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.

Ensuring Strategic Excellence in the GCC

Despite continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, maintaining favorable development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their influence on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF similarly sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion 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 relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

Corporate Planning for Regional Excellence

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, 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 increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps targeted at drawing in foreign direct financial investment, easing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil profits are expected to play a supportive function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up 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 typically in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative 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 slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local risk conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How Does Business Excellence Vital for 2026 Growth?

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures aimed at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.