Guide to GCC Financial Market Success in 2026

Oct 2019 Walid Majdalani, Head of Investcorp Private Equity MENA business, outlines the appealing opportunities of investing in GCC Infrastructure, driven by the region's development and federal government efforts.

Diversification is achieve a well balanced economy,, Diversity visions and methods exist. However there were and The, by developing an index without any qualitative/perceptions indications. The total International EDI is made up of tracking. As commodity exporters diversify, lower their reliance on resource rents and possibly score a higher rating on the EDI.

For non-diversified countries, when rate of the product falls, there is a substantial decrease in federal government revenue, public costs, bank account balance and international reserves: more volatility. The (including significant product exporters, not restricted to simply oil) over the, throughout 25 indicators (including 3 digital indications). North America, Western Europe and East Asia Pacific countries leading EDI ratings for many years.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Even though structural reforms and diversification efforts undertaken by the GCC affected MENA's local ratings positively, it still lags five other local groups., with the top 10 nations having less than a 10-point difference in scores (indicating the strength of diversity)., alongside 4 upper-middle earnings (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 stick out (when comparing 2024 vs 2000). years, provided accelerated diversification strategies of numerous oil-exporting countries. posted a constant enhancement due to a mix of reduced dependence on fuel exports, minimized exports concentration and a change in the composition of exports.

Can GCC Industrial Growth Exceed Global Averages?

with oil exporters having the most affordable ratings (though individual country-specific performance has varied over 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. Throughout all regions, the typical 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 intensified compared to 2000)., however more to do with a "levelling up" at the bottom rather than an improvement amongst the top countries. 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 variance most likely driven by the dichotomy within the region between the resource-heavy states (e.g.

Sub-Saharan African countries 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+

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 throughout the duration. The caught or worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural transformation has actually stalled.

shows 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 period versus 2020-24). with UAE exceeding in the trade sub-index (supported by recent bilateral trade agreements & non-oil exports push). vs its pre-pandemic reading (partially provided the surge in medium & high-tech production information).

Optimizing Investment Pipelines for the 2026 GCC Outlook

Its diversification metrics have stagnated, revealing 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 expansion was supported by the GCC's robust domestic demand (supported by a strong job pipeline and implementation) and strong services sector performance.

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in an increase in non-hydrocarbon profits, "mainly reflecting non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and profits collection efficiency enhancements", according to the IMF. In the present geopolitical environment identified by magnifying, it remains in the very best interests of commodity dependent nations to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.

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

and ranked greater 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 caught or worse off countries are some parts of Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa where structural transformation has actually stalled.

Upcoming Middle East Market Shifts for 2026 World Markets

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

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

Kuwait and Saudi Arabia clocked in a boost in non-hydrocarbon profits, "primarily showing non-hydrocarbon tax base growths and revenue collection efficiency improvements", according to the IMF. In the existing geopolitical environment defined by intensifying, it is in the very best interests of commodity reliant countries to diversify its export base, exports and trade partners.