How to Scale GCC Strategy in 2026

Verifying the development of AI in the region, a report released by PwC previously this month stated that the usage 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 tasks over the past 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's development in the innovation sector and stated that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are all set to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent global standard, supported by the Kingdom's information governance ecosystem, consisting of national efforts led by the Saudi Data and Expert System Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the region attractive, including having more pragmatic laws to permit for experimentation and development," 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 between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and international policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, magnate, financiers, and industry professionals went to the very first Global Business Forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Will Strategic Research Define Middle East Industrial Growth?

In 2015 the GCC comprised of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of products 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 important items.

In 2015 Latin America supplied nearly half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the region's overall sugar imports, it added. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for countries in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC counts on Brazil for meat (primarily poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for lorries and Chile for wood items, stated a statement.

The forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Moving Synergies", explores how businesses can benefit from the changing patterns of worldwide demand and what function Dubai can play in assisting in the next action in business relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC but internationally too, by serving as an information and research centre, by providing business documentation, providing legal services, facilitating networking opportunities through signature company occasions and delivering almost every imaginable organization option, it specified.

GCC development will reinforce in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil development will remain solid however slow slightly. Non-oil activity will be supported by population development, brand-new industries, and public investment; inflation will remain soft, while financial policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector growth will accelerate, offsetting in part lower oil costs; fiscal balances will be mixed, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits continue in other places.

Key Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCC

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and wider 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, said magnate at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Celebration (SEF 2026). During a panel conversation on the very first day of SEF 2026 examining "What Does the Next Year of Endeavor Capital Look Like", speakers concurred that the emerging local financial investment landscape appears promising.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a question on local start-ups' potential customers of benefiting from recent financial investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Managing Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have a lot opting for us in the area: the low cost of energy, a very progressive government that is ahead in policy, guideline and data personal privacy; and actually strong universities that are progressively looking at AI and turning out technical skill in AI."She included: "Our supreme goal is to see this area, particularly the GCC, become an AI superpower.

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

"International growth funds are being available in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the environment The capability of the UAE and regional governments to attract skill; their innovation-first approach, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow globally are the key foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of offers with the highest values, with 250 "biggest ticket size" offers recorded in 2025 in the country.