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Accelerating Regional Industrial Expansion through Innovation

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Affirming the growth of AI in the region, a report released by PwC earlier this month said that the use of AI amongst the workforce in the Middle East continues to increase, with 75 percent of staff members in the region utilizing it in their jobs over the previous 12 months.

In November, a report launched by KPMG highlighted Saudi Arabia's progress in the technology sector and stated that 84 percent of CEOs in the country are all set to release AI properly, well above the 76 percent international criteria, supported by the Kingdom's data governance ecosystem, consisting of national efforts led by the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority.

Policymakers are thinking holistically about how to make the area appealing, including having more pragmatic laws to permit for experimentation and growth," stated the report.

Actionable Tips for Navigating the 2026 Regional Landscape

Top magnate, policymakers and investors from the GCC and Latin America recently checked out how countries from the two areas can grow trade in between each other in Dubai, UAE.More than 500 regional and global policymakers, presidents, CEOs, business leaders, financiers, and industry experts participated in the first Global Business Online forum Latin America held at the Atlantis Palm - Dubai.

Operational Excellence: a Strategic Driver for 2026 Growth

In 2015 the GCC made up of the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, imported $11 billion worth of items from Latin America. And exports to Latin America from the region were $5.6 billion, a statement from organisers said. Both areas depend on each other for vital products.

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

The online forum was organised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce under the style "Shifting Synergies", checks out how organizations can benefit from the changing patterns of global demand and what role Dubai can play in facilitating the next action in business relations. Dubai Chamber takes a pioneering position not only in the UAE and in the GCC but globally too, by functioning as a details and research study centre, by providing business paperwork, providing legal services, assisting in networking opportunities through signature organization events and delivering almost every possible organization solution, it stated.

GCC growth will strengthen in 2026, led by faster expansion in hydrocarbons; non-oil growth will stay strong but slow somewhat. Non-oil activity will be supported by population growth, brand-new markets, and public investment; inflation will stay soft, while financial policy will loosen up. Hydrocarbons sector development will speed up, offsetting in part lower oil prices; fiscal balances will be mixed, with surpluses in UAE and Qatar, but deficits persist in other places.

Will Market Research Drive Middle East Corporate Growth?

SHARJAH (WAM) The GCC and larger Middle East region is poised for the next wave of financial investments in AI and tech-led sectors, with business-friendly and innovation-focused government policies attracting funds and skill, said business leaders at the 9th edition of Sharjah Entrepreneurial Festival (SEF 2026). During a panel discussion on the first day of SEF 2026 taking a look at "What Does the Next Year of Endeavor Capital Look Like", speakers concurred that the emerging local investment landscape appears promising.

The Advantages for Operational Efficiency in 2026
ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+


Reacting to a concern on local startups' prospects of taking advantage of recent financial investments in digital facilities, Tala Al Jabri, Creator and Managing Partner of Wyld VC said: "We have a lot opting for us in the area: the low cost of energy, a very progressive federal government that is ahead in policy, regulation and data privacy; and really strong academic institutions that are increasingly taking a look at AI and turning out technical talent in AI."She added: "Our supreme objective is to see this region, particularly the GCC, become an AI superpower.

Our most significant driver right now is investing in skill, because in the AI race, it's the technical talent that actually wins.

"International development funds are can be found in, which shows clear indications of maturity of the ecosystem The ability of the UAE and regional governments to bring in skill; their innovation-first method, abundance of capital here as well as inflow internationally are the key structure blocks."Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer at Injaz Capital stated that within the area, Saudi Arabia is leading the number of handle the highest worths, with 250 "biggest ticket size" offers taped in 2025 in the country.