How to Secure a Leading Edge in 2026

Affirming the development of AI in the region, a report released by PwC earlier this month said that the usage of AI amongst the labor force in the Middle East continues to increase, with 75 percent of employees in the area using it in their jobs over the past 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the innovation sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are all set to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent international benchmark, supported by the Kingdom's data governance environment, including national initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the area appealing, including having more practical laws to enable for experimentation and growth," said the report.

Top organization leaders, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America recently explored how countries from the 2 areas can grow trade in between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and international policymakers, presidents, CEOs, service leaders, investors, and market experts attended the first Global Company Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Comparing Traditional Models and Future Business Strategies

In 2015 the GCC made up of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of products from Latin America. And exports to Latin America from the region were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers said. Both regions depend on each other for necessary products.

In 2015 Latin America provided nearly half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 per cent of the region's overall sugar imports, it added. Brazil is by far the largest trading partner for nations in the area, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Among the Latin American states, the GCC depends on Brazil for meat (primarily poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for lorries and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Moving Synergies", explores how organizations can take advantage of the altering patterns of worldwide demand and what role Dubai can play in facilitating the next step in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC but globally too, by functioning as an info and research study centre, by offering service documentation, offering legal services, assisting in networking opportunities through signature business occasions and providing practically every imaginable service option, it stated.

GCC development will reinforce in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will remain solid but slow slightly. Non-oil activity will be supported by population development, new industries, and public financial investment; inflation will stay soft, while monetary policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector growth will accelerate, balancing out in part lower oil rates; financial balances will be combined, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits continue elsewhere.

Will Market Analytics Define Middle East Industrial Success?

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and larger Middle East region is poised for the next wave of investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused federal government policies drawing in funds and skill, stated company leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). During a panel discussion on the first day of SEF 2026 analyzing "What Does the Next Year of Equity Capital Look Like", speakers agreed that the emerging regional financial investment landscape appears appealing.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Responding to a concern on local start-ups' prospects of gaining from recent financial investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Handling Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have a lot opting for us in the region: the low cost of energy, a very progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, guideline and data personal privacy; and actually strong educational organizations that are progressively taking a look at AI and turning out technical skill in AI."She included: "Our ultimate objective is to see this area, particularly the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our greatest chauffeur right now is investing in skill, due to the fact that in the AI race, it's the technical skill that actually wins.

"International development funds are being available in, which reveals clear signs of maturity of the community The ability of the UAE and local federal governments to bring in talent; their innovation-first approach, abundance of capital here as well as inflow worldwide are the key foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of offers with the highest values, with 250 "largest ticket size" deals tape-recorded in 2025 in the nation.