Can Strategic Analytics Drive Dubai Industrial Growth?

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 said it was "important to construct borders" between work and individual life and take brief holidays to "detach" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the very best suggestions is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise making sure a healthy sleep and exercise regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to stand out and "to be near your customer, you need to be passionate about your work and understand consumers' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make individuals you work with pleased, you will make the consumer happy, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the capability to "not worry" is the crucial to finding an option for problems.

Today, we're assembling more than 3000 conferences 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 investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what follows, consisting of the growth and ongoing advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in worldwide networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic demand and restored financial investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to surpass most international regions peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for Regional Growth

Although oil revenues will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will stay a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Growth will be supported by commercial expansion and policy reforms, consisting of reduced foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate additional investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil costs, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to ease inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP projection to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain crucial development chauffeurs, supported by population growth and continual 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 get again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology and worldwide trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has been available in building varied, durable and globally competitive economies.

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

How to Secure a Leading Advantage in 2026

GCC nations are rotating towards a strategy of 'resilience over growth' going into 2026, as the region gets ready for an international landscape defined by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is moving to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade integration, securing commercial supply chains, and performing a decisive shift from technology ambition to functional execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements totally free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gone into final drafting phases. The area is increasingly positioning itself as a main hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting crucial minerals has become a strategic top priority.