Navigating the 2026 GCC Corporate Environment

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 borders" between work and individual life and take short vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the very best suggestions is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise making sure a healthy sleep and workout routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to excel and "to be near to your customer, you have to be passionate about your work and understand customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you deal with happy, you will make the customer happy, who will then make the shareholders pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the capability to "not stress" is the key to finding a solution for problems.

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 changing in the region, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and ongoing development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing role in worldwide networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the latest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to surpass most global areas peers next year, with local GDP forecast 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, enhancing credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

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Oil profits will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is expected to increase once again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will stay a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Growth will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership rules that intend to promote more financial investment. The financial deficit is predicted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil costs, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh aims to ease inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and financial services stay key growth chauffeurs, 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.

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Oil production is expected to pick up again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing continuous financial investment in facilities, innovation and worldwide trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has been available in building diverse, resistant and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting rate, supported by robust need and increasing financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and sustained diversification efforts.

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GCC countries are rotating towards a strategy of 'strength over expansion' entering 2026, as the region prepares for an international 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 integration, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a decisive shift from innovation aspiration to functional execution.

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Settlements for Free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into last preparing stages. The region is significantly placing itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing crucial minerals has actually ended up being a tactical priority.