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Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent data on market confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your tactical instructions. Verify financial investment plans: Guarantee resource allowance and initiatives are backed by trustworthy market insight. Accelerate positive decisions: Gear up members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement rapidly and take decisive action.
1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Significant Strategic Opportunity to Elevate Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Declaration 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) 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 plans to at least double annual US investments over next decade," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.
Boards across Africa are getting in a specifying cycle. Capital is tighter. Examination is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of boardroom judgment will significantly figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In response, Climb Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a brand-new regular monthly conference room discussion convening 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 take a look at the genuine pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Shaping 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber strength Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Management decisions 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, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Climb Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a combination phase, with activity remaining raised however growth slowing down. Overall assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a meaningful new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a difficult backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly unfavorable, with just 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and products, 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 local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst higher oil rates, as well as 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 published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure concentrated on global luxury and consumer brand names. 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 release in April pending a last approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Redefining Staff Member Advantages for a New UAE PeriodDespite ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, maintaining favorable development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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