Emerging Strategic Trends Defining the 2026 Regional Economy

Verifying the growth of AI in the region, a report released by PwC earlier this month stated that the usage of AI amongst the labor force in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of workers in the region using it in their jobs over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's development in the technology sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are all set to release AI properly, well above the 76 percent global criteria, supported by the Kingdom's information governance environment, consisting of nationwide initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the area appealing, consisting of having more pragmatic laws to enable experimentation and development," stated the report.

Leading magnate, policymakers and financiers from the GCC and Latin America just recently explored how countries from the 2 areas can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and global policymakers, presidents, CEOs, magnate, investors, and market specialists participated in the very first Global Company Forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

How to Secure a Competitive Edge in Dubai

In 2015 the GCC comprised of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of items from Latin America. And exports to Latin America from the region were $5.6 billion, a declaration from organisers said. Both regions depend on each other for important items.

In 2015 Latin America provided nearly half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 per cent of the area's overall sugar imports, it included. Brazil is by far the biggest trading partner for nations in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC relies on Brazil for meat (generally poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for lorries and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The online forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Moving Synergies", explores how organizations can take advantage of the altering patterns of global need and what function Dubai can play in helping with the next action in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC but worldwide too, by acting as an information and research centre, by providing business documents, providing legal services, facilitating networking chances through signature service occasions and delivering nearly every imaginable company solution, it specified.

GCC development will reinforce in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will remain solid but slow somewhat. Non-oil activity will be supported by population development, new markets, and public financial investment; inflation will remain soft, while financial policy will loosen. Hydrocarbons sector growth will accelerate, balancing out in part lower oil rates; financial balances will be combined, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits continue in other places.

Evaluating Legacy Models and Future Business Frameworks

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and larger Middle East area is poised for the next wave of investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused government policies attracting funds and talent, said organization leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel discussion on the first day of SEF 2026 examining "What Does the Next Year of Venture Capital Look Like", speakers agreed that the emerging regional financial investment landscape appears appealing.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a question on local start-ups' potential customers of taking advantage of current financial investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Managing Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have a lot opting for us in the area: the low expense of energy, a really progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, policy and information personal privacy; and truly strong universities that are progressively taking a look at AI and ending up technical talent in AI."She included: "Our ultimate goal is to see this region, specifically the GCC, end up being an AI superpower.

Our greatest chauffeur right now is investing in talent, due to the fact that in the AI race, it's the technical talent that truly wins.

"International growth funds are can be found in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the ecosystem The capability of the UAE and local governments to bring in skill; their innovation-first approach, abundance of capital here along with inflow internationally are the key building blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of handle the highest values, with 250 "biggest ticket size" deals taped in 2025 in the country.