Emerging Strategic Shifts Shaping the 2026 GCC Market

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 "important to construct borders" between work and individual life and take brief holidays to "disconnect" from the office.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the people you work with pleased, you will make the customer pleased, who will then make the shareholders happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not panic" is the crucial to discovering a solution for problems.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences 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 combining investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what comes next, including the expansion and ongoing 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 region's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, durable domestic need and restored financial investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most global areas peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Maintain a Leading Edge in 2026

Oil revenues will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise again in the second half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will remain a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including reduced foreign ownership guidelines that intend to stimulate further financial investment. The fiscal deficit is forecasted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil prices, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to relieve inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain key development chauffeurs, supported by population growth and sustained domestic demand. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is expected to choose up once again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing financial investment in infrastructure, innovation and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has come in structure varied, durable 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 rate, supported by robust demand and rising financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from strong domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and sustained diversity efforts.

Driving Dubai Corporate Expansion through Strategy

GCC countries are pivoting towards a method of 'durability over expansion' entering 2026, as the area gets ready for an international landscape defined by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is moving to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, securing commercial supply chains, and executing a decisive shift from technology ambition to functional application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements totally free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually entered final drafting stages. The area is significantly positioning itself as a central hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting critical minerals has become a tactical concern.