Optimising Operational Efficiency through Advanced Market Research

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 said it was "crucial to develop limits" in between work and personal life and take short vacations to "detach" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while also ensuring a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to excel and "to be near your customer, you have to be enthusiastic about your work and understand consumers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with happy, you will make the client pleased, who will then make the investors pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not stress" is the essential to finding a solution for problems.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 meetings in between investors and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined worth 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 changing in the region, and what follows, consisting of the expansion and continuous advancement 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 economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resilient domestic demand and restored investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to surpass most international regions peers next year, with local GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Driving Regional Corporate Expansion through Strategy

Although oil revenues 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 stated. Saudi Arabia will remain a significant contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, consisting of relieved foreign ownership guidelines that aim to stimulate additional investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil prices, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to relieve inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing 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. Tourist, trade and monetary services stay crucial growth chauffeurs, supported by population development and continual domestic demand. 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 anticipated to get again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing ongoing investment in facilities, innovation and global trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has actually come in structure diverse, 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 structures. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring rate, supported by robust need and rising financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of solid domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in government spending and sustained diversity efforts.

Methods for Optimising Regional Operations in 2026

GCC nations are rotating towards a strategy of 'strength over expansion' going into 2026, as the area prepares for a worldwide landscape defined by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade combination, securing commercial supply chains, and carrying out a decisive shift from technology ambition to operational execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements totally free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into final preparing stages. The region is significantly placing itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing crucial minerals has actually ended up being a tactical top priority.