Accelerating Regional Corporate Growth through Strategy

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what recommendations they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Founder of Snoonu stated it was "essential to develop limits" between work and individual life and take short vacations to "disconnect" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while likewise ensuring a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to stand out and "to be close to your consumer, you have to be passionate about your work and understand clients' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make individuals you work with happy, you will make the customer pleased, who will then make the shareholders pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the ability to "not stress" is the key to finding a solution for problems.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings between investors and 119 Gulf-listed companies with a combined worth 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 follows, including the expansion and ongoing development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing role in worldwide networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's financial expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resistant domestic demand and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most worldwide regions peers next year, with regional 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 increasing investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Optimising Operational ROI through Strategic Market Research

Although oil incomes will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is anticipated to increase once again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will stay 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, consisting of relieved foreign ownership rules that aim to promote additional financial investment. The financial deficit is projected to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil prices, while the recent five-year rent freeze in Riyadh aims to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourist, trade and financial services stay crucial development chauffeurs, 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 choose up once again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing investment in facilities, innovation and international trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook reinforces how far the GCC has actually come in building varied, resilient and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economist and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are entering 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting pace, supported by robust demand and increasing financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government costs and continual diversity efforts.

The Operational Benefits of Advanced Market Intelligence

GCC countries are pivoting towards a technique of 'durability over growth' getting in 2026, as the region gets ready for a global landscape defined by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from innovation ambition to operational application.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements for Free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have entered last drafting phases. The region is progressively placing itself as a central center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, securing important minerals has become a tactical priority.