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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 said it was "essential to construct borders" in between work and personal life and take short holidays to "disconnect" from the office.
Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make the individuals you work with delighted, you will make the consumer happy, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not stress" is the crucial to discovering an option for problems.
Today, we're convening 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 combining investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, including the growth and continuous advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in global networks of capital and trade.
Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the most recent ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to outshine most global regions peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.
Although oil revenues will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is expected to rise once again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will remain a major 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 reduced foreign ownership guidelines that intend to promote more financial investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to expand to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil prices, while the current five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to reduce 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 forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and financial services remain key development drivers, 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.
How to Enhance Middle East Business PlanningOil production is anticipated to pick up once again in the second half of 2026, matching ongoing investment in facilities, technology and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has can be found in building diverse, durable and worldwide competitive economies.
Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economic Expert and Handling 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 need and increasing investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government spending and continual diversification efforts.
GCC nations are rotating towards a method of 'resilience over expansion' entering 2026, as the area gets ready for a global landscape defined by softer oil costs, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick shift to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening worldwide trade integration, securing commercial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from technology ambition to functional execution.
Settlements totally free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gotten in final preparing stages. The area is significantly positioning itself as a central center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting vital minerals has become a strategic concern.
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