Analyzing Middle East Stock Exchange Trends for 2026 thumbnail

Analyzing Middle East Stock Exchange Trends for 2026

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Oct 2019 Walid Majdalani, Head of Investcorp Private Equity MENA service, details the appealing chances of buying GCC Infrastructure, driven by the area's growth and government efforts.

Diversification is accomplish a balanced economy,, Diversity visions and techniques exist. There were and The, by producing an index with no qualitative/perceptions signs. The total International EDI is composed of tracking. As product exporters diversify, lower their dependence on resource rents and possibly score a higher score on the EDI.

Global Investment Prospects within the GCC

For non-diversified nations, when price of the commodity falls, there is a considerable decrease in government profits, public costs, bank account balance and worldwide reserves: more volatility. The (consisting of major product exporters, not limited to just oil) over the, across 25 indicators (including 3 digital indications). The United States And Canada, Western Europe and East Asia Pacific countries top EDI ratings for many years.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Although structural reforms and diversification efforts undertaken by the GCC affected MENA's regional scores favorably, it still lags 5 other regional groups., with the leading 10 nations having less than a 10-point distinction in ratings (implying the strength of diversification)., alongside four upper-middle income (China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand) and one lower middle-income nation (India, ranked 20th, driven by its services export boom).

Amongst the e. nations ranked 51 to 70, the efficiency of Moldova, Indonesia, Armenia and Honduras stand out (when comparing 2024 vs 2000). years, given sped up diversification plans of many oil-exporting nations. published a consistent improvement due to a mix of reduced reliance on fuel exports, lowered exports concentration and a modification in the composition of exports.

Is the GCC Becoming Primary Industrial Powerhouse?

with oil exporters having the most affordable ratings (though individual country-specific efficiency has actually varied with time). Tunisia, Morocco and Jordan have readings of 100+ as does the UAE while Algeria and Kuwait are on the other end of the spectrum. Across all regions, the average rating is the for both 2000 and 2024, and the greatest in North America.

In 2024, the (China was amongst the leading ranked, while Mongolia's score worsened compared to 2000)., however more to do with a "levelling up" at the bottom rather than an improvement among the top nations. By comparing the (height of the blue box), least variability is seen in South Asia in 2000 and the most in the MENA area (with difference most likely driven by the dichotomy within the region between the resource-heavy states (e.g.

Sub-Saharan African nations represent around one-third of the total, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter 2 together accounting for over 40% of the overall). Including, there has been an (from 90.3 in 2000-04 to 92.6 and 92.3 in the five years pre- and post-pandemic ).

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


and ranked greater than others; UAE is up more than 45 locations in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman rose 17 ranks during the period. The trapped or worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural improvement has stalled.

reveals a considerable boost in typical EDI ratings from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the preliminary duration versus 2020-24). with UAE outshining in the trade sub-index (supported by recent bilateral trade contracts & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially offered the rise in medium & state-of-the-art manufacturing information).

Guide to Gulf Stock Market Success in 2026

Its diversification metrics have actually stagnated, showing the least enhancement in between the preliminary (2000-04) and last (2020-24) recommendation periods., despite the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon growth was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong task pipeline and implementation) and strong services sector performance.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon income, "primarily reflecting non-hydrocarbon tax base expansions and income collection performance enhancements", according to the IMF. In the existing geopolitical environment defined by heightening, it remains in the very best interests of commodity dependent countries to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

Sub-Saharan African countries account for around one-third of the total, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter 2 together accounting for over 40% of the total). Consisting of, there has been an (from 90.3 in 2000-04 to 92.6 and 92.3 in the 5 years pre- and post-pandemic ).

and ranked higher than others; UAE is up more than 45 locations in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman increased 17 ranks throughout the duration. The caught or worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural change has stalled.

Why the GCC Becoming Primary Industrial Hub?

reveals a substantial increase in average EDI ratings from 86.8 in 2000-04 to 92.6 in 2020-24, (up more than 10 points in the initial duration versus 2020-24). with UAE outshining in the trade sub-index (supported by recent bilateral trade contracts & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially given the rise in medium & state-of-the-art manufacturing information).

Its diversity metrics have stagnated, showing the least improvement in between the initial (2000-04) and final (2020-24) recommendation periods., regardless of the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon growth was supported by the GCC's robust domestic need (supported by a strong task pipeline and execution) and strong services sector performance.

Global Investment Prospects within the GCC

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon earnings, "primarily showing non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and revenue collection efficiency enhancements", according to the IMF. In the current geopolitical environment characterized by intensifying, it is in the very best interests of product dependent countries to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

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