Emerging Strategic Shifts Defining the 2026 GCC Economy

Verifying the growth of AI in the area, a report released by PwC earlier this month stated that the use of AI among the labor force in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of workers in the region using it in their jobs over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the innovation sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are prepared to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent worldwide standard, supported by the Kingdom's information governance environment, including national initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the area attractive, including having more practical laws to permit for experimentation and development," said the report.

Top organization leaders, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America recently explored how nations from the 2 areas can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and worldwide policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, magnate, investors, and market professionals attended the first Global Service Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Navigating the 2026 Middle East Business Landscape

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

In 2015 Latin America provided almost half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the region's total sugar imports, it included. Brazil is by far the biggest trading partner for countries in the area, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC relies on Brazil for meat (primarily poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for vehicles and Chile for wood products, said a statement.

The forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Shifting Synergies", explores how businesses can benefit from the altering patterns of worldwide need and what role Dubai can play in assisting in the next step in service relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not only in the UAE and in the GCC but worldwide too, by functioning as a details and research centre, by supplying company documents, using legal services, helping with networking chances via signature business events and delivering nearly every possible organization option, it mentioned.

GCC development will strengthen in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil development will stay strong but sluggish somewhat. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, brand-new markets, and public investment; inflation will remain soft, while financial policy will loosen. Hydrocarbons sector growth will speed up, balancing out in part lower oil prices; financial balances will be blended, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits continue somewhere else.

Operational Excellence: a Key Driver for Regional Growth

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 government policies bring in funds and talent, stated service leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). During a panel discussion on the first day of SEF 2026 taking a look at "What Does the Next Year of Venture Capital Appear Like", speakers concurred that the emerging regional investment landscape appears promising.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Responding to a question on local startups' prospects of taking advantage of current investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Managing Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have so much going for us in the area: the low cost of energy, an extremely progressive government that is ahead in policy, regulation and data privacy; and really strong instructional organizations that are significantly taking a look at AI and turning out technical talent in AI."She added: "Our ultimate objective is to see this region, particularly the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our biggest driver right now is investing in talent, since in the AI race, it's the technical skill that really wins.

"International development funds are coming in, which shows clear signs of maturity of the ecosystem The ability of the UAE and regional federal governments to draw in talent; their innovation-first technique, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow worldwide are the crucial foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of handle the highest worths, with 250 "biggest ticket size" offers recorded in 2025 in the country.