Will Strategic Research Drive Middle East Industrial Success?

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what suggestions they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Founder of Snoonu stated it was "crucial to construct limits" in between work and personal life and take short vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the best guidance is to constantly challenge yourself" while also 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 consumer, you have to be passionate about your work and understand customers' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with happy, you will make the consumer pleased, who will then make the shareholders pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not worry" is the key 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 bringing together investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what comes next, consisting of the growth and continuous 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 demand and restored investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to outperform most international 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, improving credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Secure a Competitive Advantage in Dubai

Oil profits will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it stated. 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, consisting of reduced foreign ownership rules that aim to promote more investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil prices, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to relieve inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also positioned for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and monetary services stay crucial 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 get again in the second half of 2026, matching continuous investment in infrastructure, technology and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has actually can be found in building varied, durable and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economic Expert and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring pace, supported by robust need and increasing financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and sustained diversification efforts.

Accelerating Dubai Corporate Expansion through Strategy

GCC nations are pivoting towards a strategy of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the region prepares for a worldwide landscape specified by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from technology aspiration to operational application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations for Free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gotten in last preparing stages. 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 important minerals has ended up being a tactical top priority.