Emerging Future Shifts Shaping the 2026 Regional Economy

Affirming the development of AI in the region, a report released by PwC earlier this month stated that the usage of AI among the labor force in the Middle East continues to increase, with 75 percent of staff members in the region utilizing it in their jobs over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's development in the innovation sector and stated that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are ready to release AI properly, well above the 76 percent international criteria, supported by the Kingdom's data governance ecosystem, consisting of nationwide initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the region attractive, including having more practical laws to enable experimentation and development," stated the report.

Leading service leaders, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America just recently explored how nations from the 2 regions can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and worldwide policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, business leaders, investors, and industry experts attended the first Global Service Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

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In 2015 the GCC comprised of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of products from Latin America. And exports to Latin America from the area were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers said. Both areas depend on each other for necessary items.

In 2015 Latin America supplied almost half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 per cent of the area's overall sugar imports, it added. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for nations in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC counts on Brazil for meat (primarily poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for lorries and Chile for wood products, said a declaration.

The online forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Shifting Synergies", explores how businesses can benefit from the changing patterns of worldwide demand and what role Dubai can play in helping with the next step in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not only in the UAE and in the GCC however worldwide too, by functioning as an information and research study centre, by providing company documentation, providing legal services, assisting in networking opportunities through signature organization occasions and providing nearly every imaginable organization service, it mentioned.

GCC growth will strengthen in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil development will stay strong however slow slightly. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, new industries, and public financial investment; inflation will remain soft, while monetary policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector development will speed up, offsetting in part lower oil costs; financial balances will be combined, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits persist in other places.

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SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and broader Middle East region is poised for the next wave of financial investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused government policies attracting funds and skill, stated service leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel discussion on the first day of SEF 2026 taking a look at "What Does the Next Year of Endeavor Capital Look Like", speakers agreed that the emerging regional financial investment landscape appears appealing.

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Reacting to a question on regional start-ups' potential customers of gaining from recent investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Managing Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have so much opting for us in the area: the low cost of energy, an extremely progressive government that is ahead in policy, guideline and data privacy; and actually strong universities that are increasingly taking a look at AI and ending up technical skill in AI."She added: "Our supreme objective is to see this area, specifically the GCC, end up being an AI superpower.

Our most significant driver right now is investing in skill, because in the AI race, it's the technical skill that actually wins.

"International growth funds are being available in, which reveals clear indications of maturity of the environment The ability of the UAE and local federal governments to draw in talent; their innovation-first method, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow globally are the essential building blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of handle the greatest values, with 250 "biggest ticket size" deals taped in 2025 in the country.