How to Optimise Regional Operations in 2026

Affirming the development of AI in the region, a report released by PwC previously this month said that the usage of AI among the workforce in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of workers in the region utilizing it in their tasks over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report launched by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's development in the technology sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are ready to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent global criteria, supported by the Kingdom's data governance community, consisting of nationwide efforts 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 enable experimentation and growth," stated the report.

Top business leaders, policymakers and financiers from the GCC and Latin America recently checked out how nations from the two areas can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and global policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, magnate, financiers, and industry experts went to the first Global Business Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Emerging Future Trends Defining the 2026 GCC Economy

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 region were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers stated. Both areas rely on each other for necessary products.

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 without a doubt the largest trading partner for countries in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Among the Latin American states, the GCC counts on Brazil for meat (primarily poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for cars and Chile for wood items, said a declaration.

The forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Shifting Synergies", explores how services can take advantage of the changing patterns of worldwide need and what function Dubai can play in helping with the next step in company relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC but globally too, by serving as an information and research centre, by offering company documentation, offering legal services, helping with networking opportunities by means of signature business occasions and providing almost every possible service option, it mentioned.

GCC growth will reinforce in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will remain solid but sluggish somewhat. 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 development will accelerate, balancing out in part lower oil costs; fiscal balances will be blended, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits persist in other places.

Driving Regional Industrial Expansion through Innovation

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a concern on regional startups' prospects of gaining from current financial investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Handling Partner of Wyld VC stated: "We have so much going for us in the area: the low expense of energy, a really progressive government that is ahead in policy, guideline and information personal privacy; and truly strong universities that are progressively taking a look at AI and ending up technical skill in AI."She added: "Our ultimate goal is to see this area, particularly the GCC, end up being an AI superpower.

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

"International growth funds are being available in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the ecosystem The capability of the UAE and local governments to bring in skill; their innovation-first method, abundance of capital here in addition to inflow worldwide are the essential foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of handle the highest worths, with 250 "biggest ticket size" deals recorded in 2025 in the nation.