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Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to direct your tactical instructions. Verify financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA in between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance 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)," May 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme strengthens global financial ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA prepares to at least double annual US financial investments over next decade," Might 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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This inaugural session combines board professionals to take a look at the real pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber resilience Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards need to prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
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The GCC ETF market gotten in Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity remaining elevated but growth slowing down. Overall assets held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital implementation. Worldwide macro conditions set a difficult background.
The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of items.
Adapting Your Operations to New Omani Company MandatesEfficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs in the middle of greater oil costs, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong performance in January and February. Regardless 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 continuous Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment instead of broad market participation. In spite of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting specific direct exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Adapting Your Operations to New Omani Company MandatesDespite continuous geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining favorable development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and international economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have so far restricted their effect on domestic financial performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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