Analysing New GCC Research for Future Growth

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what advice they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Creator of Snoonu said it was "crucial to develop borders" in between work and personal life and take brief vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best suggestions is to constantly challenge yourself" while also guaranteeing a healthy sleep and workout regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to stand out and "to be near to your customer, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and understand customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you work with happy, you will make the consumer happy, who will then make the investors happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not panic" is the key to discovering a solution for problems.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings 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, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and ongoing development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function 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 performance, resilient domestic demand and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the most current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to surpass most worldwide regions peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is projected to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Industrial Excellence: a Key Driver for Regional Success

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

Development will be supported by commercial expansion and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership rules that aim to promote more financial investment. The fiscal deficit is projected to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil rates, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing 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 broaden. Tourism, trade and monetary services stay essential development chauffeurs, supported by population development and continual domestic demand. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is expected to pick up again in the second half of 2026, matching continuous investment in infrastructure, innovation and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has come in structure varied, resistant and internationally 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 entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring speed, supported by robust demand and increasing investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic basics, a sharp uplift in government spending and sustained diversification efforts.

Industrial Excellence: a Strategic Driver for Regional Growth

GCC nations are pivoting towards a technique of 'strength over growth' entering 2026, as the region gets ready for a worldwide landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is moving to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and carrying out a definitive shift from technology aspiration to operational implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations free of charge Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gotten in last drafting phases. The area is significantly positioning itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing crucial minerals has become a strategic priority.