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To reverse a decade of compromising overall factor efficiency, regional labour market policy is moving from simple task creation to managing active workforce transitions. Federal governments and companies are scaling short, modular training programs and micro-credentials in information analytics and digital operations to equip workers for emerging roles. Workplace-based learning and apprenticeship-style pathways are ending up being more common as companies incorporate AI tools into day-to-day workflows.

With oil costs forecasted to average $55-60 per barrel in 2026, regional governments are heightening their concentrate on expenditure discipline and personal capital mobilisation. Financial policy is pivoting toward the monetisation of state-owned properties in logistics, energies, and desalination to reroute funds toward higher-impact financial investments. While loaning by means of sukuk and sustainability-linked bonds is expected to increase to fund tactical deficits, the focus stays on enhancing non-oil revenue structures.

PwC Middle East financial policy and method partner Jing Teow stated: "Having already mobilised capital and policy at scale, GCC governments are now concentrated on shipment. In 2026, the top priority is enhancing economic durability through more protected trade and financial investment relationships, reliable AI deployment, handled labor force shifts and disciplined financial policy in a more challenging and fragmented international environment.".

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Saudi Arabia and UAE are poised to lead the Gulf area's financial growth in 2026, supported by strong private-sector efficiency, resistant domestic need and restored investment momentum, according to the current ICAEW Economic Insight Q4 2025 report, produced by Oxford Economics. The GCC is expected to exceed most global areas peers next year, with local GDP forecast to grow by 4.4%. Across the GCC, non-energy activity is predicted to broaden by 4.1% in 2026, driven by strong labour markets, improving credit conditions and increasing investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Although oil earnings will be under pressure in the first half of 2026, production is anticipated to increase once again in the 2nd half of 2026, supporting the region's medium-term outlook, it mentioned. Saudi Arabia will stay a significant factor to GCC momentum, with GDP forecast to grow 4.3% in 2026.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Maintain a Competitive Edge in Dubai

Development will be supported by commercial growth and policy reforms, consisting of relieved foreign ownership guidelines that aim to promote more financial investment. The financial deficit is forecasted to widen to 5.6% of GDP next year amidst softer oil costs, while the current five-year lease freeze in Riyadh intends to relieve inflationary pressures, though it might constrain future housing supply.

Strong domestic fundamentalsThe UAE is also placed for another strong year of performance, with GDP projection to increase 5.6% in 2026 as non-oil sectors continue to expand. Tourist, trade and financial services remain crucial growth drivers, supported by population development and sustained domestic need. Dubai's economy grew 4.4% in the first half of 2025, reflecting broad-based non-oil strength.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Oil production is anticipated to choose up once again in the 2nd half of 2026, matching continuous financial investment in infrastructure, technology and international trade partnerships. Hanadi Khalife, the Head of Middle East, ICAEW, stated: "This quarter's outlook strengthens how far the GCC has can be found in structure varied, durable and internationally competitive economies.

Scott Livermore, ICAEW Economic Advisor, and Chief Financial Expert and Handling Director, Oxford Economics Middle East, said: "Saudi Arabia and the UAE are getting in 2026 with strong foundations. Saudi non-oil activity is gaining speed, supported by robust need and rising investment, even as financial pressures increase.""The UAE continues to gain from strong domestic basics, a sharp uplift in government spending and sustained diversification efforts.

Emerging Strategic Trends Defining the 2026 GCC Economy

What differentiates 2026 from preceding years is not merely the acceleration of technological change, though that acceleration is genuine, but rather a basic shift in how enterprises envisage their GCCs' function. The is anticipated to grow to 4 hundred thirteen billion dollars by 2040, but this growth masks a more extensive change.

Instead, they ask whether these centers drive development, own profit-and-loss responsibility, and add to competitive differentiation. In 2026, the most successful GCCs will behave like internal start-ups, agile, cross-functional, insight-driven, and deeply aligned with international business results. This shift from execution to ownership represents possibly the single most substantial tactical recalibration in the GCC model's development.

This week, we're assembling more than 3000 meetings between investors and 119 Gulf-listed business with a combined worth of $2.4 trillion at the HSBC GCC Exchanges Conference 2026, in London. We're combining investors, companies, exchanges, and policymakers to discuss what is altering in the area, and what follows, including the growth and continuous advancement of the Gulf's capital markets, and the region's growing role in global networks of capital and trade.