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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 Creator of Snoonu said it was "essential to build limits" in between work and personal life and take brief vacations to "disconnect" from the office.
Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, responded that "the best guidance is to continuously challenge yourself" while also guaranteeing a healthy sleep and workout routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah pointed out that to excel and "to be near to your customer, you need to be passionate about your work and comprehend consumers' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make individuals you work with pleased, you will make the customer happy, who will then make the shareholders delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not worry" is the key to finding an option for problems.
Today, we're convening more than 3000 meetings in between investors 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 investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and ongoing development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing role in global networks of capital and trade.
Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's financial growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, durable 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 exceed most international areas peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is forecasted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.
Oil incomes will be under pressure in the very first half of 2026, production is anticipated to rise once again in the second half of 2026, supporting the area's medium-term outlook, it stated. Saudi Arabia will remain a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.
Development will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, including relieved foreign ownership rules that aim to stimulate more financial investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil prices, while the recent five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to ease inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing supply.
Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourism, trade and monetary services remain crucial development motorists, supported by population development and sustained domestic demand. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very first half of 2025, showing broad-based non-oil strength.
Essential Middle East Market Research Insights in 2026Oil production is anticipated to select up once again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing investment in facilities, innovation and global 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, resistant and worldwide competitive economies.
Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining rate, supported by robust demand and increasing investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of solid domestic principles, a sharp uplift in federal government costs and continual diversification efforts.
GCC nations are rotating towards a method of 'durability over growth' getting in 2026, as the area gets ready for a global landscape defined by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the fast transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its development from external shocks by deepening international trade combination, protecting industrial supply chains, and executing a decisive shift from technology aspiration to functional application.
Essential Middle East Market Research Insights in 2026Settlements for Free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gone into last preparing phases. The region is progressively placing itself as a main center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Passage (IMEC). To support domestic manufacturing, protecting important minerals has become a tactical priority.
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