Emerging Strategic Shifts Shaping the 2026 GCC Economy

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

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the innovation sector and stated that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are ready to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent worldwide criteria, supported by the Kingdom's data governance environment, consisting of national efforts led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the area attractive, including having more pragmatic laws to enable experimentation and development," stated the report.

Top magnate, policymakers and financiers from the GCC and Latin America just recently checked out how countries from the two regions can grow trade in between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and global policymakers, presidents, CEOs, magnate, investors, and industry experts participated in the very first Global Service Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

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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 declaration from organisers stated. Both areas rely on each other for necessary items.

In 2015 Latin America provided almost half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the area's overall sugar imports, it included. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for nations in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC relies on Brazil for meat (mainly poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for automobiles and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The online forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Moving Synergies", checks out how services can benefit from the changing patterns of global need and what role Dubai can play in assisting in the next action in business relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC but worldwide too, by functioning as a details and research centre, by providing company documents, providing legal services, assisting in networking opportunities through signature business occasions and providing almost every possible organization solution, it stated.

GCC development will strengthen in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will remain strong but sluggish somewhat. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, new industries, and public financial investment; inflation will remain soft, while monetary policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector growth will accelerate, balancing out in part lower oil prices; financial balances will be mixed, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits continue elsewhere.

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Responding to a question on local start-ups' prospects of gaining from current investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Managing Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have a lot choosing us in the region: the low cost of energy, a very progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, policy and data privacy; and actually strong educational organizations that are progressively looking at AI and turning out technical skill in AI."She added: "Our ultimate objective is to see this region, particularly the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our greatest driver right now is investing in skill, due to the fact that in the AI race, it's the technical skill that really wins.

"International growth funds are being available in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the environment The capability of the UAE and regional federal governments to bring in talent; their innovation-first method, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow internationally are the crucial foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the variety of handle the highest values, with 250 "biggest ticket size" offers taped in 2025 in the country.