Key Steps for Operational Excellence in Dubai

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

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best recommendations is to continuously challenge yourself" while also guaranteeing a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to stand out and "to be near your consumer, you need to be passionate about your work and comprehend customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you deal with pleased, you will make the consumer happy, who will then make the shareholders happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the key to discovering a solution for issues.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings in 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, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, including the growth and ongoing development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing role in global 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 surpass most global 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, improving credit conditions and increasing investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Navigating the 2026 Middle East Business Landscape

Oil revenues will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will stay a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial expansion and policy reforms, including alleviated foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate further investment. The fiscal deficit is forecasted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil rates, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to reduce inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed 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 financial services stay essential development drivers, supported by population growth and continual domestic demand. 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 anticipated to get again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing 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 actually come in structure varied, resilient and globally 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 getting in 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is getting rate, supported by robust need and increasing investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from solid domestic basics, a sharp uplift in government costs and continual diversity efforts.

How to Scale GCC Operations in 2026

GCC nations are pivoting towards a strategy of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the area prepares for a worldwide landscape specified by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, securing industrial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from technology aspiration to functional implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements for Free Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually entered final drafting stages. The area is significantly placing itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting vital minerals has actually ended up being a strategic priority.