Methods for Optimising GCC Operations in 2026

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what suggestions they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Creator of Snoonu said it was "important to construct limits" in between work and individual life and take short vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best guidance 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 stand out and "to be near to your consumer, you have to be enthusiastic about your work and understand clients' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the people you deal with delighted, you will make the client happy, who will then make the investors happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the capability to "not stress" is the crucial to discovering a service for problems.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 conferences between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed companies with a combined value of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're uniting investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, including the growth and ongoing advancement 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, resistant domestic demand and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the latest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most global areas peers next year, with regional GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted 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+

Evaluating Legacy Models and 2026 Business Strategies

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

Growth will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate further financial investment. The financial deficit is projected to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil costs, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise positioned for another strong year of performance, with GDP projection to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourist, trade and financial services stay key development motorists, supported by population growth 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 expected to select up once again in the 2nd half of 2026, matching continuous investment in infrastructure, technology and international trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has come in building varied, durable and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Financial Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring rate, supported by robust demand and rising financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and continual diversification efforts.

How to Secure a Leading Advantage in 2026

GCC nations are rotating towards a technique of 'strength over expansion' entering 2026, as the region prepares for an international landscape defined by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade combination, protecting industrial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from technology ambition to functional application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements free of charge Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually entered final preparing phases. The area is significantly positioning itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting crucial minerals has actually ended up being a tactical concern.