Operational Excellence: a Key Pillar for 2026 Success

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 "essential to construct limits" between work and individual life and take short holidays to "disconnect" from the workplace.

Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you work with pleased, you will make the consumer pleased, who will then make the shareholders happy."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not worry" is the crucial to finding a service for problems.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings 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 combining investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the region, and what comes next, including the growth and continuous development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing function in global 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 need and restored investment momentum, according to the newest ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outshine most international regions peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and rising investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Navigating the 2026 Middle East Business Environment

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

Growth will be supported by industrial expansion and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership guidelines that intend to stimulate more investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year in the middle of softer oil rates, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to reduce inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise 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 monetary services stay essential development motorists, supported by population growth and continual domestic demand. 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 anticipated to get again in the second half of 2026, complementing continuous financial investment in infrastructure, innovation and international trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has come in structure diverse, resilient and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economic Expert and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting rate, supported by robust demand and rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in government spending and continual diversification efforts.

Key Steps for Industrial Excellence in the GCC

GCC nations are rotating towards a strategy of 'durability over expansion' going into 2026, as the area gets ready for a worldwide landscape specified 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 moving to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, protecting industrial supply chains, and performing a definitive shift from innovation ambition to functional implementation.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements free of charge Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into last drafting stages. 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 crucial minerals has actually become a tactical concern.