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Inform technique with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to assist your tactical instructions. Confirm investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme reinforces global economic ties with 26 tactical contracts," 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 financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Risk is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new regular monthly conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.
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Overall properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Leading Operational Change in the 2026 EconomyEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of greater oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided 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 published favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products drawing in brand-new capital.

Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has actually affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
How Future-Focused Strategy Reshapes the 2026 Regional EconomyDespite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, maintaining positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and international financial unpredictability stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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