Predicting the 2026 Middle East Business Landscape

Verifying the development of AI in the area, a report launched by PwC previously this month said that the usage of AI among the labor force in the Middle East continues to increase, with 75 percent of staff members in the region utilizing it in their tasks over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's development in the innovation sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are all set to release AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent global standard, supported by the Kingdom's data governance environment, including national initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Expert System Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the area appealing, including having more practical laws to permit experimentation and growth," stated the report.

Leading magnate, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America recently checked out how nations from the two areas can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and international policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, service leaders, financiers, and market specialists participated in the very first Global Organization Forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Operational Excellence: a Key Driver for 2026 Success

In 2015 the GCC comprised of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of goods from Latin America. And exports to Latin America from the area were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers stated. Both regions count on each other for important items.

In 2015 Latin America provided almost half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 per cent of the area's total sugar imports, it included. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for countries in the area, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC counts on Brazil for meat (generally poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for lorries and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Moving Synergies", checks out how businesses can take advantage of the altering patterns of worldwide need and what role Dubai can play in assisting in the next action in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC however worldwide too, by serving as an information and research centre, by providing service documents, offering legal services, facilitating networking chances by means of signature company events and providing nearly every possible company option, it mentioned.

GCC growth will enhance in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will stay strong however sluggish a little. Non-oil activity will be supported by population development, brand-new industries, and public financial investment; inflation will remain soft, while financial policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector development will speed up, offsetting in part lower oil rates; financial balances will be combined, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits persist in other places.

Industrial Excellence: a Strategic Driver for Regional Success

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and broader Middle East area is poised for the next wave of financial investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused federal government policies bring in funds and skill, stated magnate at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel discussion on the very first day of SEF 2026 taking a look at "What Does the Next Year of Equity Capital Look Like", speakers agreed that the emerging regional investment landscape appears promising.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a question on regional start-ups' potential customers of gaining from current financial investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Handling Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have a lot opting for us in the area: the low cost of energy, a really progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, policy and information personal privacy; and really strong instructional institutions that are increasingly looking at AI and turning out technical talent in AI."She added: "Our ultimate goal is to see this region, specifically the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our greatest chauffeur right now is investing in skill, since in the AI race, it's the technical skill that truly wins."Focusing on the attractiveness of the region for financiers, Christos Mastoras, Founder and Managing Partner of Iliad Partners, stated: "I think we are extremely fortunate to onboard the three largest banks of Greece as LPs [Limited Partners] for financial investment in the area.

"International growth funds are can be found in, which shows clear signs of maturity of the ecosystem The ability of the UAE and regional federal governments to draw in skill; their innovation-first technique, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow globally are the crucial foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital stated that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the variety of offers with the highest values, with 250 "largest ticket size" offers tape-recorded in 2025 in the nation.