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Notify technique with proof: Usage independent data on market confidence, development, and client demand to assist your strategic instructions. Verify investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation In Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Countries (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Passage (IMEC) Progress Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA programme enhances worldwide financial ties with 26 tactical arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'very soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to a minimum of double yearly United States investments over next years," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE financial investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is greater. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will significantly identify which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a brand-new monthly conference room discussion assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to analyze the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber strength Long-lasting worth production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers consist of: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Climb Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
4 March 2026 6:00 PM WAT Zoom Register to join the conversation. #InsideTheBoardroom #ExecutiveLeadership Registration Link: . Get the most recent insights, trends, and techniques delivered 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 consolidation phase, with activity remaining raised however development slowing. Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter specified by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related possessions succeeded for the most part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF released on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. Also in Q1, two more Kraneshares have been authorized for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and will be approved by the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange (ADX). The GCC ETF universe made up 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.
Why Soft Skills Are the New UAE Currency for 2026Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching 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 stays 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 favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF significantly exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products attracting brand-new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting particular exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, enabling investors to change positions without considerable main creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure concentrated on international luxury 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 expected to launch in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional possessions.
Driving Continuous Improvement Through Gulf Shared ServicesRegardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.
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