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Inform method with proof: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to assist your strategic direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Speed up confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (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 programme reinforces worldwide economic ties with 26 tactical agreements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double annual United States investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level women, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session unites board practitioners to examine the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber strength Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated but development slowing. Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant brand-new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The result was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil associated assets did well for the most part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two 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 Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
Is Your UAE HR Method Ready for Gen Z?Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations 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 in the middle of higher oil costs, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products attracting brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to change positions without substantial main productions or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
The Advancement of Managed Services in the Gulf AreaIn spite of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining positive growth momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the broader area and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have so far limited their influence on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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