Driving Industrial Growth Within Dubai and the GCC thumbnail

Driving Industrial Growth Within Dubai and the GCC

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6 min read


Inform technique with proof: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your strategic direction. Verify financial investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take definitive action.

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1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide economic ties with 26 strategic contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign 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 decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards across Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new regular monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Ascent Club.

How to Utilize Market Research for Growth

This inaugural session combines board specialists to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber strength Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

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Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.

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Why Does Operational Excellence Crucial for Future Growth?

The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated however development slowing. Total assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a tough background.

The outcome was a quarter specified 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 Absolute High-end ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of products.

How to Maintain a Competitive Advantage in 2026

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil costs, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

How Does Operational Excellence Vital for 2026 Growth?

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 posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

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

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

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Ways to Leverage GCC Research for Growth

Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area stays resilient and well capitalized to deal with the circumstance.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brands. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.

How to Maintain a Competitive Advantage in 2026

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, preserving favorable growth momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the wider area and worldwide financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.