Emerging Strategic Trends Defining the 2026 GCC Market

Verifying the development of AI in the area, a report released by PwC previously this month said that the use of AI among the labor force in the Middle East continues to increase, with 75 percent of staff members in the region using it in their jobs over the past 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the technology sector and stated that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are ready to release AI properly, well above the 76 percent international criteria, supported by the Kingdom's data governance environment, consisting of nationwide initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the region appealing, including having more practical laws to enable for experimentation and development," stated the report.

Leading magnate, policymakers and financiers from the GCC and Latin America just recently checked out how countries from the two regions can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and international policymakers, presidents, CEOs, magnate, investors, and market professionals participated in the first Global Organization Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

How to Optimise GCC Operations in 2026

In 2015 the GCC comprised of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of products from Latin America. And exports to Latin America from the region were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers said. Both regions depend on each other for necessary items.

In 2015 Latin America provided almost half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the region's total sugar imports, it included. Brazil is by far the biggest trading partner for countries in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC relies on Brazil for meat (generally poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for vehicles and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Moving Synergies", explores how businesses can gain from the altering patterns of global need and what function Dubai can play in assisting in the next step in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC however globally too, by functioning as an information and research centre, by supplying service paperwork, offering legal services, assisting in networking chances through signature service occasions and providing practically every possible company solution, it stated.

GCC growth will enhance in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil development will remain strong but slow a little. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, new markets, and public investment; inflation will stay soft, while monetary policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector growth will accelerate, balancing out in part lower oil prices; fiscal balances will be combined, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits continue elsewhere.

Driving Regional Corporate Growth through Strategy

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and broader Middle East region is poised for the next wave of financial investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused federal government policies attracting funds and skill, said magnate at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Celebration (SEF 2026). During a panel discussion on the first day of SEF 2026 examining "What Does the Next Year of Equity Capital Look Like", speakers agreed that the emerging regional investment landscape appears promising.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a concern on regional start-ups' potential customers of taking advantage of current financial investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Handling Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have a lot choosing us in the region: the low cost of energy, an extremely progressive government that is ahead in policy, guideline and data privacy; and truly strong universities that are progressively taking a look at AI and turning out technical skill in AI."She added: "Our ultimate goal is to see this region, specifically the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our biggest motorist right now is investing in skill, because in the AI race, it's the technical talent that actually wins.

"International development funds are being available in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the ecosystem The ability of the UAE and local governments to bring in skill; their innovation-first technique, abundance of capital here along with inflow worldwide are the crucial building blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of offers with the highest values, with 250 "largest ticket size" offers tape-recorded in 2025 in the country.