Navigating GCC Equity Market Shifts through 2026 thumbnail

Navigating GCC Equity Market Shifts through 2026

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Oct 2019 Walid Majdalani, Head of Investcorp Private Equity MENA organization, details the appealing opportunities of purchasing GCC Infrastructure, driven by the area's development and federal government efforts.

Diversity is accomplish a balanced economy,, Diversity visions and methods exist. The total Global EDI is made up of tracking.

Foreign Investors: Target These High-Growth Gulf Niches in 2026

For non-diversified countries, when rate of the product falls, there is a significant decrease in government income, public spending, present account balance and global reserves: more volatility. The (including significant commodity exporters, not limited to simply oil) over the, throughout 25 indicators (including three digital signs). The United States And Canada, Western Europe and East Asia Pacific countries top EDI ratings throughout the years.

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


Despite the fact that structural reforms and diversity efforts carried out by the GCC affected MENA's regional scores positively, it still lags 5 other local groups., with the top 10 nations having less than a 10-point difference in scores (implying the strength of diversification)., together with 4 upper-middle earnings (China, Mexico, Turkey and Thailand) and one lower middle-income country (India, ranked 20th, driven by its services export boom).

Among the e. nations ranked 51 to 70, the efficiency of Moldova, Indonesia, Armenia and Honduras stand out (when comparing 2024 vs 2000). years, provided sped up diversity plans of numerous oil-exporting nations. posted a constant improvement due to a mix of minimized dependence on fuel exports, minimized exports concentration and a modification in the structure of exports.

Future Middle East Investment Shifts for 2026 Global Markets

with oil exporters having the lowest scores (though specific country-specific performance has actually differed 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 median rating is the for both 2000 and 2024, and the highest in The United States and Canada.

In 2024, the (China was amongst the top ranked, while Mongolia's rating intensified compared to 2000)., however more to do with a "levelling up" at the bottom rather than an enhancement among the leading 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 total). Including, there has actually 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 places in 2024 compared to 2000 while Qatar climbed up 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman increased 17 ranks throughout the period. The trapped or worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural transformation has stalled.

shows a significant boost in average EDI scores 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 offered the rise in medium & modern manufacturing information).

Will GCC Non-Oil Success Outpace Global Benchmarks?

Its diversity metrics have actually stagnated, showing the least improvement in between the initial (2000-04) and last (2020-24) recommendation periods., despite the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon expansion was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong job pipeline and execution) and strong services sector efficiency.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon revenue, "mainly reflecting non-hydrocarbon tax base expansions and earnings collection efficiency enhancements", according to the IMF. In the current geopolitical environment identified by magnifying, it is in the best interests of commodity reliant nations to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

Sub-Saharan African countries represent around one-third of the total, followed by Latin America and the Middle East (the latter two together representing 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 up 24; both Saudi Arabia and Oman increased 17 ranks during the duration. The trapped or worse off nations are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural improvement has stalled.

Role of FDI on GCC Industrial Transformation

shows a considerable 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 period versus 2020-24). with UAE surpassing in the trade sub-index (supported by recent bilateral trade agreements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially offered the surge in medium & high-tech manufacturing data).

Its diversity metrics have stagnated, showing the least enhancement in between the initial (2000-04) and final (2020-24) reference periods., in spite of the headwinds of OPEC+ production cuts. A robust non-hydrocarbon expansion was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong job pipeline and application) and strong services sector performance.

Foreign Investors: Target These High-Growth Gulf Niches in 2026

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon income, "mostly reflecting non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and profits collection efficiency enhancements", according to the IMF. In the existing geopolitical environment characterized by intensifying, it remains in the very best interests of product dependent nations to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.