Essential Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCC

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 said it was "crucial to build boundaries" between work and personal life and take brief holidays to "detach" from the office.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the people you work with pleased, you will make the client pleased, who will then make the shareholders delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not worry" is the key to finding an option for problems.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 conferences in 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 combining investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing role in international networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic demand and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most global areas peers next year, with regional GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is projected to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Maximising Operational ROI through Advanced Market Planning

Oil profits will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to increase again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will remain a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, consisting of relieved foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate further financial investment. The financial deficit is projected to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil prices, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise positioned for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP forecast to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and financial services remain crucial development drivers, supported by population growth and continual domestic need. 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 anticipated to pick up once again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in infrastructure, technology and international trade partnerships. 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 Advisor, and Chief Financial Expert and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is getting speed, supported by robust demand and increasing financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and continual diversification efforts.

Optimising Operational Efficiency through Advanced Business Planning

GCC countries are rotating towards a method of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the region gets ready for an international landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening international trade integration, protecting industrial supply chains, and carrying out a definitive shift from innovation aspiration to functional application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations for Free Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gotten in final preparing stages. The area is increasingly positioning itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting critical minerals has become a tactical top priority.