Can Strategic Research Define Dubai Corporate Success?

Company news and financial news, analysis, viewpoint and data covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the region forecasted to surpass its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil profits and continuous worldwide uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, showing a resilient nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the most recent forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic need and a broadly consistent global background. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the area's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable earnings are anticipated to sustain a surge in customer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is also forecast to stay elevated as access to monetary services broadens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow anticipated United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are most likely to decline, providing households and companies even more inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a mixed photo.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and global demand improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its general economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget prepares for a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by 2 portion points. However, the report notes that these cuts may not materialise fully if countercyclical costs steps are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development programs.

Regardless of shortterm risks connected to oil rates and international need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in basics: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and tactical financial preparation. With these aspects lining up, the area is getting ready for one of its most balanced durations of expansion over the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly consistent worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic item of the GCC area is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial growth in the region is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's continued progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to exceed their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that heading inflation is expected to stay listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to remain elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and lending is forecasted to be supported by further cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy further, which in turn will reduce financial obligation maintenance costs and improve disposable income and need," said the report.