Driving Dubai Corporate Expansion through Strategy

El Houni asked the speakers to share what keeps them "on-point" at work and what advice they have for the audience. Hamad Al Hajri, CEO and Founder of Snoonu said it was "crucial to build borders" in between work and personal life and take brief vacations to "detach" from the office.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the very best guidance is to constantly challenge yourself" while likewise guaranteeing a healthy sleep and exercise regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to stand out and "to be close to your consumer, you need to be passionate about your work and comprehend clients' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the people you deal with delighted, you will make the customer happy, who will then make the investors delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not worry" is the essential to finding an option for issues.

This week, we're convening more than 3000 meetings in 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 bringing together financiers, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what comes next, including the expansion and continuous advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing function in international networks of capital and trade.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's economic expansion in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic need and restored financial investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outperform most international areas peers next year, with regional GDP projection 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 rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Methods for Optimising Regional Strategy in 2026

Although oil profits will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is anticipated to increase again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will stay a major contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Development will be supported by commercial expansion and policy reforms, including reduced foreign ownership rules that intend to promote additional financial investment. The fiscal deficit is projected to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil rates, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to alleviate inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also positioned 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 monetary services stay key development chauffeurs, supported by population development and sustained domestic need. 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 pick up again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing continuous investment in facilities, technology and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "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 Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is getting rate, supported by robust demand and increasing financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic principles, a sharp uplift in government spending and sustained diversity efforts.

How to Secure a Leading Advantage in Dubai

GCC countries are pivoting towards a method of 'durability over expansion' entering 2026, as the area gets ready for a worldwide landscape defined by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening global trade combination, protecting commercial supply chains, and carrying out a definitive shift from innovation aspiration to operational execution.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Settlements totally free Trade Arrangements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have gotten in last drafting stages. The area is significantly placing itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic production, securing critical minerals has actually become a tactical priority.