The Operational Benefits of Deep Strategy Intelligence

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what advice they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Founder of Snoonu stated it was "crucial to build limits" between work and personal life and take brief vacations to "disconnect" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the very best suggestions is to continuously challenge yourself" while likewise ensuring a healthy sleep and workout routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to stand out and "to be near your client, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and understand consumers' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the individuals you work with happy, you will make the consumer delighted, who will then make the investors pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the key to discovering a solution for issues.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences in 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, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what follows, including the expansion and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in worldwide networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resilient domestic demand and renewed investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outperform most worldwide regions peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reviewing New GCC Data for Strategic Growth

Oil incomes will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to rise once again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will stay a significant factor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, consisting of alleviated foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate additional investment. The financial 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 ease inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain essential development chauffeurs, supported by population development and sustained domestic need. 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 get 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 come in building diverse, durable and internationally 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 acquiring rate, supported by robust demand and rising financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government costs and continual diversity efforts.

How to Maintain a Competitive Advantage in Dubai

GCC countries are rotating towards a technique of 'strength over expansion' entering 2026, as the region prepares for a worldwide landscape defined by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from technology ambition to functional execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements free of charge Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into last preparing phases. The area is progressively placing itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing critical minerals has actually become a tactical top priority.