Oxford economics: GCC real gdp projected to grow by 6.8pc in 2027
A report by Oxford Economics projects that the real GDP of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will grow by 6.8 percent in 2027, significantly exceeding the estimated 5.4 percent contraction expected this year. Our baseline forecast indicates that GDP will return to pre-war levels by mid-2027. We anticipate the coming year to be pivotal for the GCC; the region must recover rapidly from the repercussions of the regional conflict to restore international confidence and mitigate lasting negative impacts—such as long-term damage to the tourism, migration, and foreign direct investment sectors.
According to the report, Saudi Arabia’s economy is expected to rebound following a 2.3 percent contraction this year; GDP performance will be shaped by the disruptions affecting the oil sector during the current year and the anticipated gradual improvement. We also project strong performance for the UAE economy in 2027, with a growth rate of 6.6percent. Meanwhile, Qatar—which faces a more challenging year in 2026—is expected to record a robust growth rate of 11.5percent. As Qatar does not rely on the Strait of Hormuz for oil and LNG exports, it faced greater difficulties this year but is set to experience a broader recovery in the coming year.
GCC ‘open to the world’, seeks long-term investment partnerships
Gulf economies should not be viewed as separate entities but rather as an interconnected economy which provides a gateway to the wider region and to global markets, said the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
He added that GCC countries remain “open to the world” and are aspiring to build long-term investment partnerships that achieve mutual interests.
“Presently, the GCC countries can no longer be viewed as six separate markets,” the Secretary-General of the GCC, Jasem AlBudaiwi, said. They should instead be viewed as an interconnected economic and investment system, with which investors who enter it are not isolated from the wider region, he added.
“An investor who enters presently into one of the GCC countries does not enter an isolated national market only but rather an interconnected regional system through which the Gulf markets are connected to each other and to the global economy.
Tourists could soon travel across the GCC with 1 visa
Jasem Albudaiwi, secretary general of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), said the Unified Gulf Tourist Visa project will be launched soon, describing it as an important step toward strengthening Gulf integration and facilitating the movement of visitors among GCC countries.
“This will represent an important step towards strengthening Gulf integration and facilitate the movement of visitors among the GCC countries,” he said.
Addressing the “Security and History Dialogue 2026” conference in Riyadh on Sunday, Albudaiwi said the unified visa will enable foreign visitors to travel more easily among the six GCC countries. The initiative is expected to support the tourism sector and enhance the GCC’s position as a comprehensive regional destination, a WAM report said.
On the security front, Albudaiwi emphasised the strong coordination among GCC interior ministers.
Saudi Arabia retains AA3 rating
Saudi Arabia’s sovereign credit rating was affirmed at “Aa3” with a stable outlook by Moody’s Ratings, with the agency citing the Kingdom’s strong economic fundamentals, expanding non-oil economy, and resilience to regional geopolitical risks and trade disruptions.
Moody’s said the rating reflects Saudi Arabia’s large economy, substantial hydrocarbon reserves, and highly competitive position in global energy markets, alongside improving institutional and policy effectiveness, according to a release issued by the National Debt Management Center.
It also pointed to progress under the Vision 2030 reform program, which the agency said has supported non-oil growth through sustained public investment, structural reforms, and improved fiscal transparency.
UAE shifts rom waste collection to circular economy
The Emirates Environmental Group has launched the 25th cycle of its Clean UAE Campaign, marking a shift in focus from traditional clean-up activities towards circular-economy solutions, waste recovery and technology-led management.
The Silver Jubilee edition was launched at a press conference in Dubai under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.
Government representatives and municipal officials used the event to outline a broader approach to waste, with greater emphasis on treating discarded materials as resources that can be recovered, recycled and converted into economic value.
Hiba Obaid Al Shehi of MOCCAE said the focus is increasingly on reducing waste, improving recycling and supporting circular-economy projects.
Qatar and Oman pitch Middle East-backed financing
Qatar and Oman are encouraging the use of Middle East-backed financing, particularly Islamic instruments, to support key infrastructure projects in the Global South, officials from the Gulf states said.
Accessing Shariah-compliant financial instruments would enable countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America to address funding gaps, Mansoor Al Khater, chief executive of the Qatar Financial Centre, said at the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong on Thursday.
“Especially when we look at the [Global] South, what they are looking for is access to capital, and the Middle East can be one of the regions that can provide that capital because we are on a high balance sheet and we have good income statements,” he said.
“And since the Middle East is also having the capital and can act as a regional hub, we can bridge that relationship with the South and this is very important for us.”
Mr Al Khater did acknowledge that Islamic financing is not as popular as traditional banking instruments, but is ideal for mobilising new capital.