Methods for Optimising Regional Operations in 2026

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 Creator of Snoonu said it was "crucial to construct limits" between work and personal life and take short holidays to "detach" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best suggestions is to continuously challenge yourself" while also ensuring a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to stand out and "to be close to your consumer, you have to be passionate about your work and understand consumers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the individuals you deal with delighted, you will make the consumer delighted, who will then make the investors happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not stress" is the essential to discovering an option for problems.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences in 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 combining investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and continuous development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing role in international networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resilient domestic demand and restored investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most international regions peers next year, with regional GDP forecast 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 rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Driving Regional Industrial Growth through Innovation

Although oil revenues will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is anticipated to increase once again in the second half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will remain a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including eased foreign ownership guidelines that intend to stimulate more financial investment. The fiscal deficit is projected to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil prices, while the current five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain crucial growth motorists, supported by population development and continual domestic demand. 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 once again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing investment in infrastructure, innovation and worldwide trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has actually can be found in structure diverse, durable and worldwide competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economic Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting rate, supported by robust need and rising financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversity efforts.

Can Market Research Drive Middle East Industrial Growth?

GCC countries are rotating towards a strategy of 'strength over expansion' getting in 2026, as the area gets ready for a global landscape defined 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 transferring to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, securing industrial supply chains, and carrying out a decisive shift from technology ambition to functional execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations for Free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into final drafting stages. The region is significantly positioning itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting important minerals has actually become a tactical top priority.