How to Optimise GCC Strategy in 2026

Verifying the growth of AI in the area, a report launched by PwC earlier this month stated that the use of AI amongst the workforce in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of employees in the region using it in their tasks over the past 12 months.

In November, a report launched by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's development in the technology sector and stated that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are prepared to release AI properly, well above the 76 percent global criteria, supported by the Kingdom's information governance environment, consisting of nationwide efforts led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the region appealing, consisting of having more practical laws to permit experimentation and development," stated the report.

Top magnate, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America just recently checked out how countries from the 2 regions can grow trade in between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and global policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, business leaders, investors, and industry experts participated in the first Global Service Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Emerging Strategic Trends Shaping the 2026 GCC Market

In 2015 the GCC made up 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 region were $5.6 billion, a declaration from organisers stated. Both areas depend on each other for necessary items.

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

The forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Shifting Synergies", checks out how services can take advantage of the changing patterns of worldwide demand and what role Dubai can play in assisting in the next step in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not only in the UAE and in the GCC but worldwide too, by acting as an info and research centre, by supplying business paperwork, offering legal services, facilitating networking opportunities through signature company events and delivering almost every possible company solution, it stated.

GCC development will strengthen in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will remain solid however slow a little. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, brand-new industries, and public financial investment; inflation will stay soft, while monetary policy will loosen. Hydrocarbons sector development will accelerate, offsetting in part lower oil costs; financial balances will be blended, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits continue elsewhere.

Industrial Excellence: a Key Driver for Regional Success

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 federal government policies drawing in funds and talent, stated company leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). During a panel discussion on the very first day of SEF 2026 examining "What Does the Next Year of Equity Capital Appear Like", speakers concurred that the emerging local financial investment landscape appears promising.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a question on regional start-ups' prospects of taking advantage of current investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Managing Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have so much choosing us in the area: the low cost of energy, a very progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, guideline and data privacy; and actually strong universities that are progressively taking a look at AI and turning out technical talent in AI."She included: "Our ultimate objective is to see this area, specifically the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our biggest chauffeur right now is purchasing talent, since in the AI race, it's the technical talent that actually wins."Focusing on the beauty of the area for financiers, Christos Mastoras, Founder and Managing Partner of Iliad Partners, stated: "I believe we are really fortunate to onboard the three largest banks of Greece as LPs [Limited Partners] for investment in the area.

"International growth funds are can be found in, which reveals clear indications of maturity of the environment The capability of the UAE and regional governments to bring in skill; their innovation-first approach, abundance of capital here as well as inflow internationally are the key foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital stated that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of deals with the highest worths, with 250 "largest ticket size" offers taped in 2025 in the nation.