How to Scale Regional Operations in 2026

Affirming the development of AI in the region, a report launched by PwC previously this month stated that the use of AI amongst the labor force in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of workers in the area using it in their jobs over the past 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the technology sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are ready to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent global criteria, supported by the Kingdom's data governance ecosystem, consisting of nationwide initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the area attractive, including having more pragmatic laws to enable experimentation and growth," said the report.

Top company leaders, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America just recently explored 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, magnate, investors, and industry professionals attended the very first Global Service Forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Methods for Optimising Regional Operations in 2026

In 2015 the GCC comprised 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 area were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers stated. Both areas depend on each other for important products.

In 2015 Latin America supplied almost half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 per cent of the region's total sugar imports, it added. Brazil is by far the largest trading partner for nations in the area, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Among the Latin American states, the GCC depends on Brazil for meat (primarily poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for vehicles and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The online forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Shifting Synergies", explores how businesses can take advantage of the changing patterns of international demand and what role Dubai can play in helping with the next step in business relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC but globally too, by serving as an info and research centre, by providing company documentation, providing legal services, helping with networking opportunities through signature business occasions and providing nearly every possible service option, it stated.

GCC development will enhance in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil development will remain strong but slow a little. Non-oil activity will be supported by population development, new markets, and public financial investment; inflation will stay soft, while monetary policy will loosen. Hydrocarbons sector growth will speed up, balancing out in part lower oil costs; fiscal balances will be mixed, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits persist in other places.

Evaluating Traditional Models and 2026 Economic Frameworks

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and wider 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 skill, stated business leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel conversation on the first day of SEF 2026 taking a look at "What Does the Next Year of Venture Capital Appear Like", speakers agreed that the emerging regional investment landscape appears appealing.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Responding to a concern on regional startups' prospects of gaining from current investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Managing Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have a lot going for us in the area: the low expense of energy, an extremely progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, policy and information personal privacy; and actually strong academic institutions that are increasingly taking a look at AI and turning out technical skill in AI."She added: "Our ultimate objective is to see this region, specifically the GCC, end up being an AI superpower.

Our greatest driver today is buying talent, because in the AI race, it's the technical talent that truly wins."Focusing on the beauty of the region for investors, Christos Mastoras, Creator and Managing Partner of Iliad Partners, said: "I believe we are extremely fortunate to onboard the 3 biggest banks of Greece as LPs [Limited Partners] for investment in the area.

"International growth funds are can be found in, which reveals clear signs of maturity of the ecosystem The capability of the UAE and local federal governments to draw in talent; their innovation-first method, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow internationally are the key foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital stated that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of offers with the highest values, with 250 "biggest ticket size" deals recorded in 2025 in the nation.