Navigating the Upcoming Regional Economic Environment for Leaders

Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to guide your tactical direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allocation and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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 Statement 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 Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces international financial ties with 26 strategic agreements," 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 a minimum of double yearly US financial investments over next decade," Might 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position nation as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards throughout Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In action, Climb Club, a presence launchpad curating access and chances for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly boardroom dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.

Corporate Strategy for Regional Success

This inaugural session combines board specialists to examine the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber durability Long-lasting value development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Handling Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, threat oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies credible female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical 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, patterns, and methods provided straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to stay at the forefront of what's next.

Why Does Operational Excellence Crucial for 2026 Growth?

The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity staying elevated however development slowing. Total possessions held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.

The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs providing favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, rather than broad market strength.

Driving Operational Excellence in the Middle East

Egypt delivered strong efficiency 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 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 likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF considerably outshined. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allowance instead of broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of products bring in brand-new capital. This shows that investors were targeting particular direct exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Strategic Planning for Middle East Excellence

Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable main creations or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on worldwide luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and costs throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.

Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving favorable development momentum recently. While disputes in the larger region and worldwide economic uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.