How to Secure a Leading Advantage in 2026

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 "crucial to construct boundaries" between work and personal life and take brief holidays to "disconnect" from the office.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the people you work with pleased, you will make the customer pleased, who will then make the investors happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not worry" is the essential to discovering a solution for problems.

Today, we're convening more than 3000 conferences 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, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what follows, consisting of the growth and continuous 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 economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resilient domestic need and restored financial investment momentum, according to the latest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most worldwide areas peers next year, with regional GDP forecast 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, enhancing credit conditions and rising investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Evaluating Legacy Systems and Future Business Frameworks

Although oil earnings will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to increase again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will remain a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including eased foreign ownership guidelines that intend to promote further financial investment. The fiscal deficit is predicted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil costs, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to relieve inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise positioned for another strong year of performance, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourist, trade and monetary services stay essential development motorists, supported by population growth and sustained 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 again in the second half of 2026, complementing continuous investment in infrastructure, technology and international trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has been available in building diverse, resilient and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Financial Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is getting speed, supported by robust need and rising financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversity efforts.

Analysing New Market Data for Strategic Growth

GCC nations are pivoting towards a strategy of 'durability over expansion' getting in 2026, as the area gets ready for an international landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening international trade integration, securing commercial supply chains, and carrying out a decisive shift from innovation ambition to operational implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements free of charge Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into 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 manufacturing, protecting vital minerals has ended up being a strategic concern.