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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 Founder of Snoonu stated it was "essential to build boundaries" in between work and individual life and take short vacations to "disconnect" from the office.
Tariq Bin Hendi, CEO and Board Member of Astra tech, reacted that "the best suggestions is to continuously challenge yourself" while also making sure a healthy sleep and workout regimen. Mohamed Khadiri, CEO of Bank of Sharjah mentioned that to stand out and "to be close to your consumer, you need to be enthusiastic about your work and comprehend clients' requirements". Karim Benkirane, CCO of Du, stated: "If you make 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 panic" is the essential to finding a solution for problems.
Today, we're convening more than 3000 conferences 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 combining investors, business, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is changing in the region, and what follows, including the expansion and continuous advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the area's growing function in worldwide 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 efficiency, resistant domestic need and renewed financial investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is anticipated to outperform most global regions peers next year, with regional GDP projection to grow by 4.4%. Throughout the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to expand by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, enhancing credit conditions and rising investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.
Although oil incomes will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to increase again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will remain a major factor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.
Growth will be supported by industrial growth and policy reforms, consisting of eased foreign ownership rules that aim to promote additional investment. The financial deficit is predicted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amid softer oil costs, while the current five-year rent freeze in Riyadh intends to ease inflationary pressures, though it may constrain future housing supply.
Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of efficiency, with GDP forecast to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourist, trade and financial services stay key development chauffeurs, supported by population growth and continual domestic demand. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the very first half of 2025, reflecting broad-based non-oil strength.
Oil production is expected to choose up once again in the 2nd half of 2026, complementing ongoing financial investment in infrastructure, innovation and worldwide trade collaborations. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, said: "This quarter's outlook enhances how far the GCC has can be found in building diverse, resistant and globally competitive economies.
Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Consultant, and Chief Economist and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, stated: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are going into 2026 with strong structures. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining speed, supported by robust demand and rising investment, even as fiscal pressures increase.""The UAE continues to benefit from strong domestic fundamentals, a sharp uplift in government spending and continual diversity efforts.
GCC nations are rotating towards a method of 'durability over growth' entering 2026, as the area prepares for a global landscape specified by softer oil prices, geopolitical fragmentation, and the quick transition to an AI-enabled economy. According to a brand-new regional outlook by PwC, the GCC is relocating to insulate its growth from external shocks by deepening international trade combination, protecting industrial supply chains, and executing a definitive shift from innovation aspiration to operational execution.
Negotiations totally free Trade Contracts with China, the EU, and Japan are advancing, while talks with the UK have actually entered last drafting stages. The area is significantly positioning itself as a central center for east-west trade through the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor (IMEC). To support domestic production, protecting critical minerals has ended up being a tactical top priority.
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