Scaling Industrial Growth Within Dubai and the GCC

The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF substantially outperformed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation instead of broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of products attracting brand-new capital. This indicates that investors were targeting particular exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.

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

Q1 2026 showed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Why Does Operational Excellence Vital for 2026 Expansion?

In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining favorable development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger region and global economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now limited their impact on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. 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 positive total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs worldwide growth alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced 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 a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

Improving ROI Using Advanced GCC Market Analysis

Information 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 rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps targeted at attracting foreign direct financial investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the region's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil incomes are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.

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 toward more positive total conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks global 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 contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Advanced Planning for GCC Success

Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and innovation. 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 financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures focused on drawing in foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the region's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil earnings are anticipated to play an encouraging function in 2026.