Will Strategic Research Define Dubai Industrial Growth?

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

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you work with pleased, you will make the client delighted, who will then make the shareholders pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not stress" is the essential to finding an option for problems.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 conferences in between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined worth 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 changing in the region, and what comes next, consisting of the growth and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in global networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's financial expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resilient domestic demand and restored financial investment momentum, according to the most current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most global regions peers next year, with local GDP projection 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 rising investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Accelerating Dubai Corporate Growth through Innovation

Although oil revenues 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 mentioned. Saudi Arabia will stay a significant factor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Growth will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership rules that aim to promote further investment. The fiscal deficit is predicted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil rates, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to reduce inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is anticipated to select up again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in infrastructure, technology and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has come in building diverse, resistant and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economic Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting speed, supported by robust need and rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic basics, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and sustained diversification efforts.

Key Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCC

GCC nations are rotating towards a technique of 'resilience over expansion' going into 2026, as the area gets ready for an international landscape specified by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening international trade integration, securing industrial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from innovation 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 gotten in last drafting stages. The region is progressively placing itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, securing critical minerals has actually become a strategic concern.