Emerging Strategic Trends Shaping the 2026 GCC Economy

Affirming the growth of AI in the region, a report released by PwC previously this month stated that the usage of AI amongst the labor force in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of staff members in the area using it in their jobs over the past 12 months.

In November, a report launched by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the technology sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are prepared to release AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent worldwide standard, supported by the Kingdom's data governance community, including nationwide initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Expert System Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the area attractive, including having more pragmatic laws to permit experimentation and development," stated the report.

Top magnate, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America recently checked out how nations from the 2 areas can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and global policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, organization leaders, financiers, and market professionals went to the very first Global Company Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

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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 region were $5.6 billion, a declaration from organisers stated. Both areas depend on each other for necessary items.

In 2015 Latin America supplied nearly half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the region's total sugar imports, it added. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for nations in the area, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Among the Latin American states, the GCC counts on Brazil for meat (generally poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for lorries and Chile for wood products, stated a declaration.

The online forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Moving Synergies", explores how organizations can take advantage of the changing patterns of international need and what role Dubai can play in helping with the next action in service relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not only in the UAE and in the GCC but globally too, by functioning as a details and research centre, by offering business documents, offering legal services, facilitating networking chances via signature organization events and delivering nearly every conceivable organization service, it mentioned.

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

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SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and broader Middle East region is poised for the next wave of financial investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused federal government policies attracting funds and talent, stated organization leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Celebration (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel conversation on the very first day of SEF 2026 analyzing "What Does the Next Year of Venture Capital Appear Like", speakers agreed that the emerging local investment landscape appears promising.

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Responding to a question on regional startups' prospects of gaining from recent financial investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Handling Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have a lot going for us in the area: the low cost of energy, a very progressive government that is ahead in policy, guideline and information personal privacy; and really strong universities that are significantly looking at AI and turning out technical talent in AI."She added: "Our ultimate objective is to see this area, particularly the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our biggest motorist today is buying talent, since in the AI race, it's the technical talent that actually wins."Concentrating on the attractiveness of the region for financiers, Christos Mastoras, Creator and Managing Partner of Iliad Partners, said: "I think we are extremely fortunate to onboard the 3 biggest banks of Greece as LPs [Limited Partners] for financial investment in the area.

"International growth funds are coming in, which shows clear signs of maturity of the community The ability of the UAE and regional governments to draw in talent; their innovation-first approach, abundance of capital here along with inflow globally are the essential structure blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the variety of handle the greatest worths, with 250 "largest ticket size" offers tape-recorded in 2025 in the nation.