Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for 2026 Success

Company news and financial news, analysis, opinion and data covering the six Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic growth throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area projected to surpass its 2025 efficiency in spite of soft oil revenues and continuous international unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is expected to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong customer characteristics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

But the current forecasts suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly stable worldwide background. The report highlights GCC customers as a significant motorist of the region's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine non reusable earnings are expected to fuel a rise in customer spending across the Gulf.

Credit development is also forecast to stay elevated as access to financial services widens. With GCC reserve banks anticipated to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing costs are most likely to decline, giving homes and companies even more inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more based on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics projects a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as inventories tighten up and worldwide demand improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a regional outperformer, with significant growths in gas production and exports anticipated to raise its overall economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital expenditure as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise completely if countercyclical spending procedures are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their advancement programs.

In spite of shortterm risks connected to oil prices and global demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in basics: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil characteristics, and tactical fiscal planning. With these factors aligning, the area is preparing for one of its most well balanced durations of growth recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to remain resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic need and a broadly stable global economy, according to an analysis. In its newest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gdp of the GCC area is expected to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC growth will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that economic growth 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 development toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC consumers will be standout performers in 2026 and are anticipated to exceed their global peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is anticipated to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is anticipated to stay raised in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and lending is projected to be supported by additional cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC central banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by relieving financial policy even more, which in turn will reduce financial obligation servicing expenses and increase disposable earnings and demand," stated the report.