Reviewing 2026 GCC Research for Strategic Growth

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 construct limits" in between work and individual life and take short holidays to "detach" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best recommendations is to continuously challenge yourself" while also guaranteeing a healthy sleep and workout routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to stand out and "to be near to your consumer, you have to be passionate about your work and understand consumers' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you work with happy, you will make the customer pleased, who will then make the shareholders delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not panic" is the key to finding an option for problems.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 conferences between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed companies with a combined value of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're bringing together investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what follows, consisting of the growth and ongoing development 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 area's economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic demand and renewed investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to surpass most worldwide regions peers next year, with regional GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is projected to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Emerging Strategic Shifts Shaping the 2026 GCC Market

Oil profits will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to rise again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will remain a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial expansion and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership guidelines that intend to promote further financial investment. The fiscal deficit is predicted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil rates, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to relieve inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise positioned for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and financial services remain key development motorists, supported by population development and sustained domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, reflecting broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is expected to pick up again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing investment in facilities, innovation and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has actually come in building diverse, resistant and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economic Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining pace, supported by robust need and rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government costs and sustained diversity efforts.

Maximising Operational Efficiency through Advanced Business Research

GCC nations are pivoting towards a technique of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the area prepares for a global landscape specified by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade combination, securing commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from innovation ambition to functional implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements free of charge Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into last drafting stages. The region is progressively placing itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting crucial minerals has ended up being a strategic top priority.