Comparing Traditional Systems and 2026 Business Strategies

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 Founder of Snoonu stated it was "important to construct boundaries" between work and individual life and take brief holidays to "disconnect" from the office.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with delighted, you will make the client happy, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the capability to "not worry" is the crucial to discovering a solution for issues.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings between financiers 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, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what follows, including the growth and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in worldwide networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resilient domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outperform most worldwide regions peers next year, with local GDP projection 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, enhancing credit conditions and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Methods for Scaling GCC Operations in 2026

Oil earnings 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 region's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will remain a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including reduced foreign ownership guidelines that aim to promote further investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil rates, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to reduce inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise positioned for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain essential growth drivers, supported by population development and sustained domestic demand. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is expected to get again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing financial investment in facilities, technology and worldwide trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has actually come in building varied, durable and worldwide competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Financial Expert and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining pace, supported by robust need and rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of solid domestic basics, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversity efforts.

How to Optimise GCC Strategy in 2026

GCC countries are rotating towards a technique of 'strength over expansion' entering 2026, as the region gets ready for a global 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 relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening international trade integration, securing commercial supply chains, and executing a decisive shift from innovation aspiration to operational implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements free of charge Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gotten in final drafting phases. The area is progressively placing itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, securing important minerals has ended up being a tactical priority.