Can Market Research Define Middle East Industrial Success?

Business news and financial news, analysis, opinion and stats covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the area forecasted to exceed its 2025 performance despite soft oil earnings and ongoing international unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is expected to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer characteristics, and slowly improving oil output.

But the most recent forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by strengthening domestic demand and a broadly steady international background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a major motorist of the area's financial performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable earnings are expected to fuel a surge in customer costs across the Gulf.

Credit growth is also forecast to stay elevated as access to financial services broadens. With GCC reserve banks expected to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are likely to decrease, offering homes and organizations further impetus to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed image.

Industrial Excellence: a Key Driver for 2026 Growth

This could weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. Oxford Economics projects a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten and global need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, sticks out as a regional outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports expected to raise its general economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan expects a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by 2 portion points. Nevertheless, the report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical costs measures are triggered to support development. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement programs.

Despite shortterm dangers tied to oil prices and worldwide need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in principles: durable customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic fiscal planning. With these elements aligning, the area is getting ready for among its most well balanced durations of growth in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to remain resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly consistent worldwide economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gdp of the GCC region is expected to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that economic development in the region is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of overall GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the region's continued progress toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to surpass their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is expected to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit development is anticipated to remain elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and financing is forecasted to be supported by more cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC reserve banks are expected to follow the US Federal Reserve by easing monetary policy even more, which in turn will lower debt servicing costs and improve disposable income and need," stated the report.