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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 construct limits" in between work and individual life and take short vacations to "detach" from the workplace.
Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the very best advice is to continuously challenge yourself" while likewise ensuring a healthy sleep and exercise routine. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to excel and "to be close to your consumer, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and understand clients' needs". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make individuals you deal with pleased, you will make the consumer pleased, who will then make the shareholders delighted."Ambareen Musa, CEO for Revolut GCC, stated the ability to "not panic" is the essential to discovering a service for issues.
Today, we're convening more than 3000 meetings in 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 uniting investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the area, and what comes next, consisting of the expansion and continuous development of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing role in global networks of capital and trade.
Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf region's economic growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, durable domestic demand 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 worldwide regions peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.
Although oil revenues will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is expected to rise again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will remain a significant contributor to GCC momentum, with GDP projection to grow 4.3% in 2026.
Growth will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, including reduced foreign ownership rules that intend to stimulate more financial investment. The fiscal deficit is forecasted to broaden to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil costs, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh aims to ease inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future real estate supply.
Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is likewise positioned for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP forecast to rise 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to broaden. Tourist, trade and financial services remain crucial growth chauffeurs, 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.
Essential Strategies for Driving Dubai Industrial GrowthOil production is anticipated to pick up once again in the second half of 2026, complementing ongoing investment in infrastructure, technology and global trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has actually come in building varied, resistant and internationally competitive economies.
Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Economist and Managing Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is acquiring speed, supported by robust demand and rising financial investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to take advantage of strong domestic basics, a sharp uplift in government costs and continual diversity efforts.
GCC nations are pivoting towards a method of 'strength over expansion' entering 2026, as the region prepares for an international landscape specified by softer oil rates, geopolitical fragmentation, and the rapid transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new local outlook by PwC, the GCC is transferring to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening global trade integration, securing commercial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from technology ambition to operational execution.
Negotiations totally free Trade Agreements with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually gotten in last preparing phases. The region is significantly placing itself as a central hub 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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