Optimising Corporate ROI through Advanced Market Research

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 Creator of Snoonu stated it was "important to develop boundaries" between work and individual life and take brief vacations to "detach" from the workplace.

Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best guidance is to continuously challenge yourself" while also ensuring a healthy sleep and exercise regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah explained that to stand out and "to be near to your client, you need to be passionate about your work and understand clients' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, said: "If you make the individuals you work with happy, you will make the consumer pleased, who will then make the investors pleased."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, said the capability to "not stress" is the key to finding a service for problems.

This week, 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 bringing together investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what comes next, including the growth and continuous development 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 region's financial growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector performance, resistant domestic need and renewed investment momentum, according to the current 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 projected to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

The Strategic Benefits of Deep Market Intelligence

Oil profits will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is expected to rise again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it specified. Saudi Arabia will remain a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

Growth will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership rules that aim to stimulate more financial investment. The financial deficit is projected to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil rates, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to reduce inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourism, trade and financial services remain crucial growth chauffeurs, supported by population growth 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 expected to get again in the 2nd half of 2026, matching ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology and international trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has actually can be found in structure diverse, durable and globally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, 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 rate, supported by robust demand and increasing financial investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from strong domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and continual diversification efforts.

Essential Steps for Operational Excellence in Dubai

GCC nations are rotating towards a technique of 'durability over expansion' getting in 2026, as the region 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 new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening international trade combination, securing commercial supply chains, and performing a decisive shift from technology aspiration 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 gotten in final drafting phases. The region is significantly positioning itself as a central hub for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting crucial minerals has become a tactical top priority.