Navigating the 2026 GCC Corporate Landscape

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 "important to build borders" in between work and individual life and take brief vacations to "disconnect" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the best advice is to constantly challenge yourself" while also guaranteeing a healthy sleep and workout routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to excel and "to be close to your consumer, you need to be passionate about your work and comprehend consumers' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you work with happy, you will make the customer delighted, who will then make the investors pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not stress" is the key to discovering an option for issues.

Today, we're convening more than 3000 meetings between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed companies with a combined worth of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're uniting financiers, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what follows, consisting of the expansion and continuous advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing function in global networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resistant domestic need and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to outperform most worldwide regions peers next year, with regional GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Optimising Operational ROI through Strategic Market Research

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

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership guidelines that intend to stimulate additional financial investment. The fiscal deficit is projected to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil prices, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to relieve inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and financial services remain key growth motorists, supported by population development 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 choose up once again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in facilities, technology and international trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has been available in structure varied, resistant and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economic Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining speed, supported by robust demand and rising 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 diversity efforts.

Accelerating Regional Industrial Expansion through Innovation

GCC countries are pivoting towards a strategy of 'durability over growth' going into 2026, as the area prepares for an international landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, securing industrial supply chains, and carrying out a definitive shift from technology aspiration to functional execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations totally free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually entered last drafting phases. The area is progressively placing itself as a central hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, securing crucial minerals has ended up being a tactical priority.