Will Strategic Research Drive Dubai Corporate Growth?

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what guidance they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Creator of Snoonu said it was "important to develop borders" between work and individual life and take short holidays to "detach" from the workplace.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you work with pleased, you will make the client delighted, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not worry" is the crucial to finding a service for issues.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences in between investors and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined value of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're bringing together financiers, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what comes next, including the growth and continuous advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing role in worldwide 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 performance, durable domestic demand and restored financial investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most international regions peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and rising investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reviewing New Market Data for Strategic Growth

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

Growth will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, consisting of reduced foreign ownership rules that aim to stimulate more investment. The fiscal deficit is projected to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil costs, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to reduce inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP forecast to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and financial services remain crucial growth drivers, supported by population growth 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 pick up once again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial 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 can be found in building varied, resilient and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economist and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting pace, supported by robust need and increasing financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from strong domestic basics, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversity efforts.

Evaluating Legacy Models and Future Business Strategies

GCC countries are pivoting towards a technique of 'resilience over growth' entering 2026, as the area gets ready for an international landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, securing commercial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from innovation aspiration to operational execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations for Free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have entered last drafting stages. The area is significantly positioning itself as a central hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing vital minerals has actually become a tactical priority.