Predicting the 2026 Middle East Business Environment

Affirming the development of AI in the area, a report launched by PwC previously this month said that the use of AI amongst the labor force in the Middle East continues to rise, with 75 percent of employees in the region utilizing it in their jobs over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report released by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the technology sector and said that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are prepared to deploy AI responsibly, well above the 76 percent worldwide standard, supported by the Kingdom's information governance community, consisting of national initiatives led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are believing holistically about how to make the region appealing, including having more pragmatic laws to allow for experimentation and growth," said the report.

Leading company leaders, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America just recently checked out how countries from the two regions can grow trade between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 local and global policymakers, heads of state, CEOs, magnate, investors, and industry specialists went to the very first Global Company Forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Key Steps for Industrial Excellence in the GCC

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 area were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers said. Both areas depend on each other for essential items.

In 2015 Latin America provided nearly half the meat imports into the GCC and 36 percent of the area's overall sugar imports, it included. Brazil is without a doubt the largest trading partner for nations in the region, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Amongst the Latin American states, the GCC counts on Brazil for meat (generally poultry), Argentina for cereals, Mexico for automobiles and Chile for wood products, said a declaration.

The online forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the theme "Moving Synergies", explores how companies can take advantage of the altering patterns of international need and what function Dubai can play in helping with the next action in organization relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not only in the UAE and in the GCC however globally too, by functioning as an info and research centre, by supplying service documentation, providing legal services, assisting in networking opportunities by means of signature business events and delivering almost every imaginable service solution, it stated.

GCC development will enhance in 2026, led by faster growth in hydrocarbons; non-oil development will stay strong but 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 development will speed up, balancing out in part lower oil rates; fiscal balances will be combined, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, however deficits continue in other places.

How to Secure a Competitive Advantage in 2026

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and broader Middle East area is poised for the next wave of investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused federal government policies attracting funds and talent, stated organization leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Celebration (SEF 2026). Throughout a panel conversation on the very first day of SEF 2026 analyzing "What Does the Next Year of Endeavor Capital Look Like", speakers concurred that the emerging local investment landscape appears appealing.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Reacting to a concern on local start-ups' potential customers of benefiting from recent investments in digital infrastructure, Tala Al Jabri, Founder and Managing Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have a lot choosing us in the area: the low cost of energy, a very progressive government that is ahead in policy, policy and information personal privacy; and really strong educational organizations that are significantly looking at AI and ending up technical talent in AI."She added: "Our ultimate objective is to see this area, specifically the GCC, end up being an AI superpower.

Our biggest motorist right now is investing in talent, because in the AI race, it's the technical skill that truly wins.

"International growth funds are coming in, which reveals clear signs of maturity of the ecosystem The capability of the UAE and regional federal governments to bring in talent; their innovation-first technique, abundance of capital here as well as inflow internationally are the key foundation."Paula Tavangar, Chief Financial Investment Officer at Injaz Capital said that within the region, Saudi Arabia is leading the variety of handle the highest values, with 250 "largest ticket size" offers recorded in 2025 in the country.