Gulf Briefing

The UAE formally left OPEC on May 1, 2026, ending nearly 60 years of membership and giving ADNOC full freedom to pursue its 5 million barrel-per-day capacity target without quota constraints. With Brent at $106 and Hormuz disrupted, the exit reshapes GCC energy dynamics.

Gulf equity markets posted broad gains on June 10, 2026, with Saudi Arabia's Tadawul rising 1.3% to 11,115 on USD 2 billion in turnover, Dubai DFM gaining 0.9%, Abu Dhabi ADX up 0.8%, and Qatar's QE Index surging 1.9% as ACWA Power climbed 7.7%.

Qatar's economy in 2026 is entering a multi-year growth phase as the North Field LNG expansion approaches first production, GDP growth is projected to exceed 5 per cent from 2027, and new foreign ownership rules have driven a 66 per cent surge in new company formations in Q1 2026.

The UAE's GDP growth forecast has been upgraded to 5% for 2026, as the Ministry of Economy confirms the total number of active companies has surpassed 1.4 million — a 118.7% increase since 2021 — with 250,000 new businesses registered in 2025 alone.

UAE hotels and entertainment venues are targeting AED 1.5–2.5 billion in additional revenues from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, rolling out overnight stay packages and fan zone activations as late-night match times from 11pm to 6am UAE create a unique hospitality window.

The IMF confirmed a 3.5% GDP growth forecast for Oman in 2026, supported by 1.7% inflation, public debt declining to 33% of GDP, and a 7.5% current account surplus, as the Future Fund Oman signs over AED 1.8 billion in new deals across logistics, renewable energy and technology.

Saudi Arabia's real GDP expanded 3% year-on-year in Q1 2026, with financial services registering the highest sector growth at 5.4% and manufacturing rising 4%, as Vision 2030's economic diversification continues to outperform expectations.

Dubai's green trade corridor with Oman has surged from AED 1 billion to over AED 8 billion in customs declarations since launching in March 2026, as the Hafeet Rail project reaches 40% completion and Jebel Ali reports 35% growth in new logistics registrations.

Off-plan property, buying a unit before it is built, directly from the developer, has been one of the most consistent wealth-creation strategies for Dubai...

Bahrain's economy in 2026 has achieved a milestone that few Gulf states can claim: non-oil sectors now account for 85 per cent of GDP, with financial services contributing 17 per cent and a fintech ecosystem that has evolved from a regulatory sandbox into a system-building powerhouse.

GITEX Global 2026 runs from December 7 to 11 at a new venue: the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, marking the first...

UAE corporate tax 2026 brings critical new filing obligations, free zone qualifying income rules, and a September 30 deadline — here is everything businesses and free zone companies need to know to stay compliant and protect the 0% tax rate.