The Strategic Advantages of Advanced Market Intelligence

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 said it was "crucial to construct borders" between work and individual life and take short vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while likewise making sure a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to excel and "to be near your client, you have to be passionate about your work and comprehend customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with pleased, you will make the client happy, who will then make the investors happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the key to discovering a solution for problems.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences in between financiers and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined value 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 altering in the region, and what follows, consisting of the growth and continuous development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing role 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, durable domestic need and renewed investment momentum, according to the newest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most global areas peers next year, with regional GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Emerging Future Shifts Shaping the 2026 GCC Market

Oil incomes 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 area's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will remain a significant factor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, including eased foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate more financial investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil rates, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to reduce 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 rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourist, trade and financial services stay essential development chauffeurs, supported by population growth and continual domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, reflecting broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is expected to get once again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has can be found in building diverse, resilient 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 getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining pace, supported by robust demand and increasing investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic basics, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and continual diversity efforts.

Key Tips for Industrial Excellence in the GCC

GCC countries are rotating towards a technique of 'resilience over growth' going into 2026, as the region gets ready for an international landscape defined by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid shift 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 worldwide trade integration, securing industrial supply chains, and executing a decisive shift from innovation ambition to functional application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations free of charge Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into last preparing phases. The area is significantly placing itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting critical minerals has become a strategic priority.