How to Optimise 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 stated it was "essential to build limits" in 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 finest recommendations is to continuously challenge yourself" while likewise ensuring a healthy sleep and workout routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to excel and "to be near your consumer, you have to be enthusiastic about your work and comprehend clients' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you deal with happy, you will make the client pleased, who will then make the shareholders happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the essential to finding a service for issues.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences between financiers 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 financiers, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what comes next, including the growth and ongoing 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 area's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resilient domestic demand and restored financial investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most international regions 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 financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Maximising Corporate Efficiency through Strategic Market Research

Although oil profits will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise once again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will stay a significant contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership rules that aim to stimulate further financial investment. The fiscal deficit is projected to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil rates, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to ease inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and financial services remain essential development drivers, supported by population development 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 once again in the second half of 2026, complementing continuous 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 been available in building diverse, durable and worldwide competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining rate, supported by robust demand and increasing financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and sustained diversity efforts.

Maximising Corporate ROI through Strategic Market Planning

GCC countries are rotating towards a strategy of 'strength over expansion' going into 2026, as the area gets ready for an international landscape specified by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid 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 global trade integration, protecting industrial supply chains, and carrying out a decisive shift from innovation ambition to functional implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements for Free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have entered final drafting phases. The region is increasingly positioning itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, securing vital minerals has become a strategic top priority.