Key Tips for Industrial Excellence in the GCC

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 stated it was "important to build borders" in between work and individual life and take brief holidays to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the best advice is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise guaranteeing a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to stand out and "to be near to your client, you have to be enthusiastic about your work and comprehend customers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you deal with pleased, you will make the customer pleased, who will then make the shareholders happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the essential to finding a service for issues.

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

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, durable domestic need and renewed investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most global regions peers next year, with local GDP forecast 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 investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Optimising Operational Efficiency through Advanced Market Planning

Oil revenues will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is expected to rise once again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will stay a significant contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including eased foreign ownership rules that intend to promote more investment. The financial deficit is predicted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil prices, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing 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 development chauffeurs, supported by population development and continual domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the 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, complementing ongoing investment in facilities, technology and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has actually come in building diverse, resistant and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economist and Handling 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 rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from strong domestic basics, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and continual diversification efforts.

Predicting the Next GCC Business Environment

GCC nations are pivoting towards a strategy of 'resilience over expansion' going into 2026, as the area gets ready for a global landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid 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 global trade combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from technology ambition to functional application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Negotiations free of charge Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gotten in last drafting phases. The area is significantly positioning itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing vital minerals has ended up being a strategic concern.