Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for 2026 Growth

Affirming the growth of AI in the region, 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 launched by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the innovation sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the nation are ready to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent international benchmark, supported by the Kingdom's information governance community, consisting of national efforts led by the Saudi Data and Expert System Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the region attractive, consisting of having more pragmatic laws to permit experimentation and growth," stated the report.

Top magnate, policymakers and financiers from the GCC and Latin America recently explored how countries from the two regions can grow trade in between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and international policymakers, presidents, CEOs, magnate, investors, and industry professionals went to the very first Global Business Forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Comparing Traditional Systems and 2026 Economic Frameworks

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 rely on each other for necessary products.

In 2015 Latin America provided nearly half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the region's total sugar imports, it included. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for countries in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Among the Latin American states, the GCC relies on Brazil for meat (mainly poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for automobiles and Chile for wood items, said a statement.

The online forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Shifting Synergies", checks out how organizations can take advantage of the altering patterns of worldwide demand and what function Dubai can play in helping with the next action in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC however globally too, by functioning as a details and research study centre, by offering service paperwork, using legal services, assisting in networking chances via signature service events and delivering practically every possible organization service, it stated.

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

Methods for Scaling Regional Strategy in 2026

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and larger Middle East area is poised for the next wave of financial investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused government policies drawing in funds and talent, said company leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). During a panel conversation on the first day of SEF 2026 examining "What Does the Next Year of Equity Capital Appear Like", speakers concurred that the emerging local investment landscape appears appealing.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Responding to a concern on regional start-ups' prospects of taking advantage of recent financial investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Managing Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have so much opting for us in the area: the low cost of energy, a very progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, regulation and information personal privacy; and truly strong instructional institutions that are increasingly looking at AI and turning out technical skill in AI."She added: "Our ultimate objective is to see this area, specifically the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our most significant driver right now is investing in talent, because in the AI race, it's the technical talent that truly wins.

"International growth funds are can be found in, which reveals clear signs of maturity of the ecosystem The capability of the UAE and regional governments to bring in talent; their innovation-first approach, abundance of capital here along with inflow internationally are the key structure blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of offers with the greatest worths, with 250 "biggest ticket size" deals recorded in 2025 in the country.