Strategic Strategy for GCC Leadership

The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in brand-new capital.

Trading activity stayed steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without significant primary developments or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

How to Leverage GCC Research for Growth

Despite continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show strength, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and global financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their impact on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal 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 growth predicted to increase 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 international development reducing 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 growth would position the region materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

Driving Operational Excellence in the Middle East

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

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures targeted at attracting foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil incomes are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF similarly sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent usually in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more favorable total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Advanced Planning for Regional Success

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase 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, improving credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil earnings are anticipated to play a supportive role in 2026.