Strategic Strategy for GCC Excellence

The sector also faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF significantly exceeded. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products bring in brand-new capital. This suggests that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while lowering or turning out of others.

Trading activity stayed constant, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions.

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

Q1 2026 revealed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.

How Is Business Excellence Crucial for Future Expansion?

Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show durability, maintaining positive development momentum in recent years. While disputes in the wider region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their impact on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected 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 worldwide 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 position the area materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

Scaling Industrial Operations Across Dubai and the GCC

Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as governments expand 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures targeted at drawing in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.

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

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the region 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 local risk conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How Is Operational Excellence Vital for 2026 Growth?

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy procedures aimed at drawing in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil revenues are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.