Key Tips for Operational Excellence in Dubai

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what advice they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Founder of Snoonu stated it was "important to develop borders" between work and individual life and take short vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while likewise guaranteeing a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to excel and "to be near your client, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and comprehend clients' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you work with delighted, you will make the client happy, who will then make the investors pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not worry" is the key to discovering a solution for issues.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences in between investors and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined worth of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're bringing together financiers, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what follows, including the growth and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing role in international networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's financial growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, durable domestic demand and restored investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most global regions peers next year, with regional GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and rising investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Predicting the Next GCC Corporate Environment

Although oil revenues will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to rise again in the second half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will stay a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership guidelines that intend to promote more investment. The fiscal deficit is predicted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil costs, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to ease inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP projection to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain crucial development motorists, supported by population development and sustained domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is expected to get once again in the 2nd half of 2026, matching continuous financial investment in infrastructure, innovation and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has actually can be found in building varied, resistant and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining rate, supported by robust need and increasing financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government spending and continual diversification efforts.

Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for Regional Success

GCC nations are rotating towards a strategy of 'durability over expansion' entering 2026, as the region gets ready for a global landscape specified by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a decisive shift from technology ambition to operational application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations totally free Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into final preparing stages. The area is significantly positioning itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting important minerals has ended up being a strategic priority.