Industrial Excellence: a Key Driver for Regional Success

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 stated it was "crucial to build borders" between work and individual life and take brief vacations to "disconnect" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the finest guidance is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise ensuring a healthy sleep and workout regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to excel and "to be near to your client, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and comprehend customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you work with pleased, you will make the client delighted, who will then make the investors pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not panic" is the key to finding an option for issues.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences between investors 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 financiers, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what follows, including 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 region's financial growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, durable domestic demand and renewed investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to outshine most worldwide regions peers next year, with regional GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Emerging Strategic Trends Defining the 2026 Regional Economy

Oil profits will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to increase once again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will stay a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Growth will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership guidelines that aim to promote more investment. The financial deficit is predicted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil rates, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and monetary services stay key development motorists, supported by population development and sustained domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, reflecting broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is anticipated to pick up once again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has come in building varied, resilient and globally competitive economies.

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

How to Secure a Competitive Advantage in Dubai

GCC countries are pivoting towards a method of 'durability over growth' entering 2026, as the area prepares for a global landscape defined by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, protecting commercial supply chains, and executing a decisive shift from technology ambition to operational implementation.

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 gotten in last drafting stages. The region is significantly positioning itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting critical minerals has become a tactical top priority.