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Inform technique with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, development, and customer demand to guide your strategic direction. Validate financial investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In 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 global financial ties with 26 strategic arrangements," 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 decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
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Total possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a significant new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency across the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid higher oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure concentrated on international high-end and consumer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are expected to release in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Closing the Skills Space in the UAE Labor MarketDespite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, maintaining favorable development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and international financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their impact on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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