Optimising Operational Efficiency through Advanced Market Research

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 said it was "essential to build boundaries" between work and individual life and take short holidays to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the very best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while also guaranteeing a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to excel and "to be near your client, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and understand clients' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the people you work with delighted, you will make the consumer delighted, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the essential to discovering an option for issues.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 conferences in between investors and 119 Gulf-listed companies with a combined worth of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're bringing together financiers, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what follows, including the growth and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing role in global 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 efficiency, durable domestic need and restored financial investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most global areas peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is projected to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Navigating the Next GCC Corporate Environment

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

Development will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, consisting of reduced foreign ownership rules that aim to promote additional financial investment. The financial deficit is projected to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil prices, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to relieve inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP projection to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourist, trade and monetary services remain crucial growth drivers, supported by population growth and sustained domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, reflecting broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is anticipated to get once again in the 2nd half of 2026, matching continuous investment in infrastructure, technology and worldwide trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has actually can be found in building varied, resistant and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring pace, supported by robust demand and rising investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government spending and sustained diversification efforts.

Evaluating Traditional Models and 2026 Economic Frameworks

GCC nations are rotating towards a strategy of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the area prepares for a global landscape defined by softer oil prices, 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 combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and carrying out a definitive shift from innovation aspiration to functional execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements totally free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into final drafting stages. The area is progressively placing itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting critical minerals has become a tactical concern.