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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial growth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area forecasted to surpass its 2025 efficiency in spite of soft oil revenues and continuous international uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, showing a durable nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and gradually improving oil output.

But the latest forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic demand and a broadly constant global background. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant driver of the region's financial efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real disposable incomes are expected to fuel a rise in consumer spending across the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to remain elevated as access to monetary services broadens. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are most likely to decrease, providing households and companies further motivation to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the area's resilience, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a combined image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more reliant on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and international need improves. Qatar, on the other hand, stands out as a regional outperformer, with considerable expansions in gas production and exports expected to raise its overall economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan anticipates a 6 percent cut in capital investment as the kingdom intends to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. The report notes that these cuts may not materialise completely if countercyclical spending measures are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development programs.

Despite shortterm risks connected to oil rates and international need, the GCC's 2026 financial outlook is specified by strength in basics: resistant customers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and strategic financial preparation. With these aspects lining up, the region is getting ready for among its most balanced durations of growth in recent years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

Predicting the 2026 Middle East Business Environment

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

We expect GCC development will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center said 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 region's continued progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outperform their international peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is expected to stay 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 stay elevated in the GCC area during 2026, as access to monetary services is anticipated to grow and financing is predicted to be supported by more cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by alleviating monetary policy further, which in turn will reduce debt maintenance expenses and increase disposable earnings and demand," stated the report.