Analysing New GCC Research 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 Founder of Snoonu said it was "important to build borders" in between work and individual life and take brief holidays to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best advice is to constantly challenge yourself" while also making sure a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to stand out and "to be close to your client, you need to be passionate about your work and understand customers' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you work with delighted, you will make the consumer pleased, who will then make the shareholders delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not panic" is the essential to finding a service for problems.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings between investors 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 investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, including the expansion and continuous 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 financial expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the latest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to outperform most international areas peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Key Tips for Industrial Excellence in Dubai

Oil profits will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it specified. 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 expansion and policy reforms, including alleviated foreign ownership rules that aim to promote more investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil prices, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh aims to ease inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourist, trade and financial services stay essential development chauffeurs, supported by population growth and continual domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very 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 2nd half of 2026, matching continuous investment in infrastructure, innovation and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has actually come in building varied, durable and worldwide competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Financial Expert and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining speed, supported by robust demand and increasing financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversity efforts.

Will Strategic Analytics Define Middle East Industrial Growth?

GCC nations are rotating towards a technique of 'strength over growth' getting in 2026, as the area gets ready for a worldwide landscape defined by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade combination, protecting industrial supply chains, and performing a decisive shift from innovation ambition to functional execution.

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 gone into last preparing phases. The area is increasingly placing itself as a central hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting crucial minerals has become a tactical concern.