Driving Dubai Industrial Growth through Innovation

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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to speed up in 2026, with the area forecasted to outshine its 2025 efficiency despite soft oil earnings and ongoing international unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resistant nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually enhancing oil output.

The latest forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to restore momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly steady global background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant chauffeur of the area's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable earnings are expected to sustain a surge in customer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is likewise anticipated to remain elevated as access to financial services expands. With GCC main banks expected to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are most likely to decrease, giving families and businesses further incentive to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed picture.

Analysing New GCC Data for Strategic Insights

This might weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more depending on oil extraction. Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members expected to resume raising production as stocks tighten and international need improves. Qatar, meanwhile, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports anticipated to lift its total financial efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 spending plan prepares for a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. The report keeps in mind that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical spending measures are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more varied economies such as the UAE and Qatar are anticipated to continue advancing their development agendas.

In spite of shortterm risks connected to oil costs and international demand, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is defined by strength in basics: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and strategic financial preparation. With these aspects lining up, the area is preparing for among its most balanced durations of expansion recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP growth.

Maximising Corporate Efficiency through Advanced Business Research

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to stay resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly constant global economy, according to an analysis. In its latest report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gdp of the GCC region is anticipated to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

We expect GCC development will increase 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 area's continued development towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to outshine their worldwide peers.

In December, the IMF even more stated that heading inflation is anticipated to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near to 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and slightly above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is anticipated to stay raised in the GCC region during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and lending is forecasted to be supported by additional cuts in interest rates."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC central banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by alleviating monetary policy further, which in turn will reduce financial obligation maintenance costs and enhance non reusable earnings and demand," said the report.