How to Secure a Competitive Edge in 2026

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 Founder of Snoonu stated it was "essential to develop limits" in between work and individual life and take short vacations to "detach" from the office.

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

Today, we're convening more than 3000 conferences between investors and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined value of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're bringing together investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what follows, including the growth and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing function in worldwide networks of capital and trade.

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Emerging Future Trends Defining the 2026 Regional Economy

Oil incomes will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to rise once 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.

Growth will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, consisting of reduced foreign ownership rules that aim to promote additional financial investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil rates, 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 also placed 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 monetary services remain key growth drivers, supported by population development and continual domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is anticipated to choose up again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in facilities, innovation and international trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has can be found in structure diverse, durable and worldwide competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economic Expert and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining speed, supported by robust demand and rising financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from solid domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversity efforts.

How to Maintain a Leading Advantage in 2026

GCC countries are pivoting towards a technique of 'strength over growth' going into 2026, as the region gets ready for a global landscape defined by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick 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 combination, protecting industrial supply chains, and executing a decisive shift from technology ambition to functional 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 actually gotten in last preparing phases. The area is increasingly placing itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting important minerals has actually ended up being a tactical priority.