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Inform technique with proof: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and client need to assist your strategic direction. Validate investment plans: Make sure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Speed up positive choices: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation 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) 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 open market pact 'really quickly'," 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 financial investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest financier," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Truth Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Analysis is higher. Threat is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain growth and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level women, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is introducing a new monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and business leadership and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to examine the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disturbance and cyber strength Long-term worth development and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, threat oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reliable 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, trends, and methods delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up with Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the leading edge of what's next.
The GCC ETF market gone into Q1 2026 in a consolidation phase, with activity remaining elevated however growth slowing. Total possessions held broadly steady over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued rearranging and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, rather than a clear directional pattern. Oil associated assets did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Absolute Luxury ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. 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 comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of items.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst higher oil prices, in addition to its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided 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 actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Accelerating Dubai Industrial Growth through StrategyRegardless of continuous 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 growth momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the broader region and international economic unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
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