Reviewing 2026 GCC Data for Strategic Insights

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what recommendations they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Founder of Snoonu said it was "essential to build borders" between work and personal life and take brief vacations to "detach" from the workplace.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with delighted, you will make the client delighted, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not worry" is the essential to discovering an option for problems.

Today, we're convening more than 3000 meetings between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined value of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're combining financiers, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what comes next, consisting of the growth and ongoing development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in worldwide 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 efficiency, resistant domestic demand and renewed investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most international areas 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 rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Can Strategic Analytics Drive Dubai Industrial Success?

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

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including reduced foreign ownership guidelines that intend to stimulate further financial investment. The fiscal deficit is forecasted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil costs, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh aims 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 increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourist, trade and monetary services remain essential development chauffeurs, supported by population development and continual domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.

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Oil production is expected to get once again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in infrastructure, innovation and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has come in building varied, resilient and worldwide 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 getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring pace, supported by robust need and rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government spending and sustained diversity efforts.

How to Maintain a Leading Edge in 2026

GCC countries are rotating towards a method of 'strength over growth' getting in 2026, as the area gets ready for an international landscape specified by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, protecting industrial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from innovation aspiration to functional implementation.

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Settlements totally free Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into final preparing stages. The area is increasingly positioning itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting vital minerals has become a strategic concern.