Emerging Strategic Shifts Shaping the 2026 Regional Market

Affirming the development of AI in the region, a report launched by PwC earlier this month said that the use of AI amongst the labor force in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of staff members in the area utilizing it in their jobs over the previous 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 nation are all set to release AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent international benchmark, supported by the Kingdom's information governance environment, consisting of nationwide initiatives 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 company leaders, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America just recently explored how countries from the two areas can grow trade in between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and international policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, service leaders, financiers, and market professionals went to the first Global Service Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Methods for Scaling GCC Operations in 2026

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 regions count on each other for vital items.

In 2015 Latin America supplied 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 nations in the area, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Among the Latin American states, the GCC depends on Brazil for meat (generally poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for cars and Chile for wood products, stated a statement.

The online forum was arranged by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Moving Synergies", checks out how services can gain from the altering patterns of global need and what function Dubai can play in assisting in the next step in business relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not just in the UAE and in the GCC however globally too, by functioning as an info and research centre, by supplying business paperwork, providing legal services, helping with networking opportunities through signature company occasions and providing nearly every conceivable business solution, it stated.

GCC growth will enhance in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will remain strong but sluggish a little. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, brand-new industries, and public financial investment; inflation will remain soft, while financial policy will loosen. Hydrocarbons sector development will speed up, offsetting in part lower oil costs; financial balances will be blended, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits continue elsewhere.

Accelerating Regional Industrial Expansion through Innovation

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 attracting funds and talent, stated magnate at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel conversation on the first day of SEF 2026 analyzing "What Does the Next Year of Venture Capital Look Like", speakers concurred that the emerging regional investment landscape appears appealing.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Responding to a concern on regional start-ups' potential customers of gaining from recent investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Handling Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have so much choosing us in the region: the low cost of energy, an extremely progressive government that is ahead in policy, guideline and information privacy; and really strong instructional organizations that are increasingly looking at AI and turning out technical talent in AI."She added: "Our ultimate goal is to see this region, specifically the GCC, become an AI superpower.

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

"International development funds are can be found in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the community The ability of the UAE and local governments to attract skill; their innovation-first method, abundance of capital here as well as inflow internationally are the essential structure blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital stated that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the variety of handle the greatest values, with 250 "largest ticket size" offers taped in 2025 in the nation.