Corporate Planning for Regional Success

The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background 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 valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF significantly exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products attracting new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.

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

Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.

Ways to Utilize GCC Intelligence for Growth

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show durability, keeping positive growth momentum in current years. While disputes in the broader region and worldwide economic uncertainty stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have so far restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.

The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth alleviating 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 position 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 danger conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

Why Does Business Excellence Crucial for 2026 Growth?

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 continued to rise as federal governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, 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, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on attracting foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play an encouraging function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth predicted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more favorable overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative 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 position 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 relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Strategic Planning for Regional Leadership

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

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps focused on drawing in foreign direct investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the region's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.