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Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, development, and customer demand to direct your strategic direction. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reliable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take definitive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical contracts," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign totally free trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to a minimum of double yearly United States financial investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Fact Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards throughout Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is greater. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to take a look at the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Top Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber resilience Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a recurring online forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the current insights, trends, and methods provided directly to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity staying elevated but development slowing down. Total properties held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The result was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional pattern. Oil related possessions did well for the a lot of part. On the favorable side, in January, the Boreas Outright High-end ETF introduced on ADX to include more thematic ETFs. Likewise in Q1, 2 more Kraneshares have actually been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance across the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Ways to Optimize Middle East Corporate StrategyPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific nation direct exposures and products, particularly 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 brand-new highs in the middle of greater oil costs, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. Despite 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 improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and worldwide risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF substantially outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allocation instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in new capital. This suggests that investors were targeting particular direct exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed steady, 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, allowing financiers to change positions without considerable main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on international high-end and consumer 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 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Despite ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, keeping favorable development momentum in current years. While conflicts in the broader area and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have so far limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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