Reviewing New GCC Data for Future 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 Creator of Snoonu stated it was "essential to construct borders" in between work and individual life and take brief vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the very best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while also ensuring a healthy sleep and workout regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to excel and "to be close to your customer, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and understand clients' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make individuals you work with pleased, you will make the customer happy, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not panic" is the key to discovering a service for issues.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined worth of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're combining investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and continuous development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing function in international networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's financial expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resilient domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to exceed most global regions peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is projected to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Optimising Operational Efficiency through Advanced Market Planning

Although oil revenues will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is expected to rise once again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will stay a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Growth will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership guidelines that intend to promote additional investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil costs, while the current five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also positioned for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and monetary services stay key growth 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 anticipated to get again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing financial investment in facilities, innovation and international trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has come in building diverse, durable and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economist and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting speed, supported by robust demand and rising investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic basics, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and sustained diversification efforts.

Methods for Optimising GCC Operations in 2026

GCC nations are pivoting towards a method of 'resilience over expansion' getting in 2026, as the area gets ready for a worldwide landscape defined by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from technology ambition to operational execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations free of charge Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gotten in final drafting stages. The area is significantly positioning itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting crucial minerals has actually become a strategic top priority.