How to Scale Regional Operations in 2026

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 Creator of Snoonu stated it was "essential to develop limits" between work and personal life and take brief holidays to "disconnect" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best recommendations is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise ensuring a healthy sleep and workout regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to excel and "to be near your consumer, you have to be passionate about your work and comprehend clients' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you deal with delighted, you will make the client delighted, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not panic" is the key to finding an option for problems.

This week, 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 changing in the region, and what follows, consisting of the expansion and continuous development 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 area's financial growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resilient domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to outshine most global areas peers next year, with regional GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted 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+

Emerging Strategic Trends Shaping the 2026 Regional Market

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 specified. Saudi Arabia will stay a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership guidelines that aim to stimulate more financial investment. The fiscal deficit is forecasted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil rates, while the current five-year rent freeze in Riyadh aims to relieve inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing 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 broaden. Tourism, trade and financial services stay key development drivers, supported by population growth and continual 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 expected to get again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing investment in infrastructure, innovation and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has actually been available in structure diverse, durable and worldwide competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economic Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining pace, supported by robust need and rising investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and sustained diversity efforts.

How to Secure a Competitive Advantage in 2026

GCC countries are rotating towards a strategy of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the area prepares for an international landscape defined by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is moving to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a decisive shift from innovation aspiration to functional application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations totally free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gotten in final preparing stages. The region is progressively positioning itself as a central center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing critical minerals has actually become a tactical top priority.