Can Market Research Define Dubai Corporate Success?

Company news and financial news, analysis, opinion and statistics covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region predicted to outperform its 2025 performance regardless of soft oil profits and ongoing international unpredictabilities. According to a new Oxford Economics research study briefing, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and slowly enhancing oil output.

But the most current forecasts suggest that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to regain momentum, buoyed by reinforcing domestic demand and a broadly stable international backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a major motorist of the region's economic performance heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable earnings are anticipated to fuel a rise in consumer spending throughout the Gulf.

Credit growth is also forecast to stay raised as access to monetary services expands. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, borrowing expenses are most likely to decline, providing homes and companies even more incentive to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a mixed photo.

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This might weigh on firsthalf development, particularly for economies more based on oil extraction. Nevertheless, Oxford Economics forecasts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and international demand enhances. Qatar, meanwhile, sticks out as a local outperformer, with considerable growths in gas production and exports expected to lift its overall financial performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan expects a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its fiscal deficit by two percentage points. The report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical spending steps are activated to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their advancement agendas.

Despite shortterm risks tied to oil costs and global need, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in fundamentals: resilient customers, robust nonenergy sectors, improving oil dynamics, and strategic financial planning. With these factors aligning, the region is getting ready for one of its most well balanced durations of growth in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

Driving Regional Corporate Expansion through Strategy

RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are anticipated to stay resistant in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly stable global economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gdp of the GCC region is anticipated to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

We anticipate GCC development will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial growth in the area 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 towards diversification. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are expected to surpass their international peers.

In December, the IMF further said that heading inflation is expected to remain listed below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, close to 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 remain elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to monetary services is expected to grow and loaning is projected to be supported by additional cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC main banks are anticipated to follow the United States Federal Reserve by alleviating financial policy even more, which in turn will reduce debt servicing expenses and boost non reusable income and demand," said the report.