Will Strategic Analytics Drive Dubai Industrial Success?

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 said it was "crucial to build boundaries" in between work and personal life and take brief vacations to "disconnect" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best advice is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise making sure a healthy sleep and exercise regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to excel and "to be close to your customer, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and understand customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with happy, you will make the consumer pleased, who will then make the shareholders pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not worry" is the essential to discovering a solution for issues.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 conferences between investors and 119 Gulf-listed companies with a combined worth of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're uniting financiers, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what follows, including 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 performance, durable domestic need and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the newest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most global areas peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Key Tips for Industrial Excellence in the GCC

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

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, including alleviated foreign ownership rules that intend to promote further financial investment. The fiscal deficit is forecasted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil prices, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to relieve inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future real estate 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. Tourism, trade and monetary services stay key development drivers, supported by population growth and sustained domestic demand. 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 anticipated to select up again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in facilities, technology and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has actually can be found in structure varied, resistant and globally competitive economies.

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

How to Optimise GCC Strategy in 2026

GCC nations are rotating towards a method of 'durability over growth' getting in 2026, as the region gets ready for a global landscape defined by softer oil prices, 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 growth from external shocks by deepening international trade integration, protecting commercial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from technology aspiration to operational execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements for Free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into last preparing stages. The area is progressively placing itself as a central hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting critical minerals has actually become a strategic concern.