For much of the past decade, GCC banks operated in an environment defined by strong liquidity, rapid credit expansion and relatively stable macroeconomic conditions. Supported by high oil revenues and ambitious national growth agendas, the region’s banking sector became synonymous with resilience, scale and sustained growth.

That resilience has been tested in recent months and, so far, the sector has responded well. Recent banking data published by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) and the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) suggests that customer deposits have continued to grow despite heightened regional uncertainty.

Customer deposits increased by 17% year-on-year as of April 2026, and 2% from February to April 2026 in the UAE, while in Saudi Arabia, the growth in deposits was 11% year-on-year as of April 2026 and 2% from February to April 2026 , reinforcing both markets’ positions as regional safe havens for capital. Growth in monetary aggregates and non-resident deposits further suggests that regional and international investors continue to view GCC banking systems as stable, well-capitalized and resilient.

Importantly, there is little evidence so far of the capital flight or systemic liquidity pressures that some observers initially feared. Instead, the data suggests that the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue to play an important role as regional safe havens for capital, supported by strong banking fundamentals, prudent regulation and proactive central bank intervention.

Central banks have also played an important role. Proactive interventions helped preserve liquidity, support credit expansion and provide targeted relief to sectors facing short-term disruption. In the UAE, banks were able to extend working capital facilities and restructure short-term obligations for fundamentally healthy businesses, helping bridge temporary cash-flow pressures while maintaining confidence across the financial system.

As a result, resilience is no longer simply a measure of capital strength. It has become a strategic capability that underpins the sector’s ability to navigate an increasingly complex operating environment.

However, what is clearer than ever before is that the operating environment around banks is changing rapidly—and as a result, so is the role of the CRO.

The recent regional conflict accelerated that realization. Traditional stress-testing models were largely designed around financial shocks such as market volatility, liquidity tightening, and credit deterioration. What many institutions are now confronting is a far broader challenge, where geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, operational resilience, and credit risk can all influence one another simultaneously.
Across the GCC, this has prompted some banks to reassess whether existing business continuity and resilience frameworks are sufficiently equipped for a far more interconnected risk landscape.

This is particularly relevant in a region where regulatory frameworks have prioritized sovereignty, local data residency, and operational control. Recent events have also created an opportunity for institutions to reassess how these strengths can be balanced with greater operational flexibility and diversification, e.g., for digital data storage.

At the same time, a second structural shift is unfolding more quietly beneath the surface.

According to analysis from FTI Consulting, GCC banks originated close to $1 trillion in new lending between 2020 and 2025 across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. Much of this growth took place during a prolonged low-interest rate environment and elevated liquidity conditions, meaning many portfolios, particularly across real estate and mortgage lending, have not yet been tested through a full economic stress cycle.

That could create a more complex operating backdrop for the years ahead.
For banks, the longer-term risk is not simply operational disruption. While business continuity and cybersecurity remain critical priorities, credit risk remains equally important. If short-term disruption were to evolve into a prolonged economic slowdown, pressure could emerge across borrower segments and asset classes, particularly in sectors that have benefited from strong credit expansion in recent years. In certain scenarios, a meaningful correction in real estate markets would have implications not only for borrowers but also for portfolio performance and risk provisioning across the banking sector.

This is precisely the type of forward-looking scenario that CROs must now anticipate, rather than simply respond to.

Modern CROs are increasingly expected to balance resilience, growth, operational continuity and profitability simultaneously, while helping institutions navigate a far more dynamic and interconnected operating environment. More importantly, the CRO can no longer afford to be purely backward-looking.

The institutions likely to outperform over the next decade will be those capable of identifying disruption early, adapting faster and embedding risk intelligence directly into strategic decision-making.

That requires a fundamentally different approach to risk management. One built around predictive intelligence, integrated scenario planning, dynamic stress testing and real-time decision-making.

Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are becoming increasingly important in that transition.

Some leading regional banks are already investing in AI-enabled underwriting, early-warning systems and advanced collections capabilities that allow them to identify stress signals earlier and make more sophisticated portfolio decisions in real time. Others, however, continue to rely on fragmented legacy systems, manual workflows and reactive operating models.

That gap may become increasingly important during periods of disruption. Institutions that can identify emerging stress earlier, underwrite more effectively and anticipate portfolio deterioration before competitors will inevitably benefit from lower risk costs and stronger resilience outcomes.

Because in this new environment, resilience itself is becoming a competitive advantage.

The banks most likely to succeed will not necessarily be the largest or most conservative institutions. They will be the organizations capable of integrating risk more directly into strategic decision-making, modernizing operational infrastructure and responding dynamically to an increasingly volatile external environment.

The broader lesson for the sector is clear.

The GCC banking industry is entering a new era where resilience can no longer be measured purely through capital strength or regulatory compliance. Increasingly, resilience will be defined by adaptability and the ability to proactively anticipate interconnected geopolitical, operational, technological and economic disruption in real time.

Data from Counterpoint Research reveals that global smartphone shipments declined by 6% year-over-year in Q1 2026. Despite this downturn, HONOR stood out by achieving the highest growth among leading brands, exceeding 25% year-over-year.

Further reinforcing this performance, IDC reported that HONOR also ranked as the fastest-growing brand among the top 10 smartphone manufacturers globally.

Counterpoint attributes HONOR’s strong performance to its strategic overseas expansion and regionally tailored product portfolio. This growth was further supported by aggressive promotional efforts and effective strategic execution, enabling the company to outperform the broader market even amid rising component cost pressures.

HONOR’s strong global momentum reflects its ability to consistently deliver high-quality, competitive products tailored to diverse consumer needs across markets, supported by a growing ecosystem of connected devices and IoT products that enhance user experience and drive brand loyalty.

Building on this success, HONOR is set to expand its presence in the Middle East and Africa region with the upcoming launch of its HONOR 600 Series including HONOR 600 and HONOR 600 Pro. The new lineup will feature a flagship-level 200MP AI camera system, powerful AI imaging capabilities including AI Image to Video 2.0, and an industry-leading 7,000mAh battery. Combined with premium design and flagship-class performance, the series is positioned to redefine user experience in its segment.

As competition intensifies across the global smartphone landscape, HONOR’s strong performance underscores its growing influence among leading brands. With continued investment in innovation, ecosystem development, and regional expansion, the company is well positioned to capture new opportunities and sustain its growth momentum in the quarters ahead.

From content creation to media buying, artificial intelligence is quietly reshaping how campaigns are built, delivered, and optimised across the GCC.

In the UAE and across the GCC, artificial intelligence has moved well beyond the stage of experimentation. What was once a buzzword discussed in boardrooms is now deeply embedded in the day-to-day execution of advertising. Brands are no longer testing AI—they are relying on it to run campaigns, generate content, and make increasingly precise decisions about audience targeting and timing.

On the creative front, the shift is particularly visible. AI-powered tools are now capable of producing ad copy, visuals, and even short-form video content at a pace that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. For marketers operating in a market like the UAE—where campaigns often need to speak to audiences in both English and Arabic, while also resonating across a diverse mix of nationalities, this level of speed and adaptability is more than a convenience. It is becoming a necessity.

Behind the scenes, machine learning has also transformed how media buying is approached. Traditional methods that relied heavily on instinct or retrospective performance reports are steadily being replaced by systems that analyse audience behaviour in real time. These platforms continuously optimise campaign performance, adjusting budgets and placements based on how users interact with content.

In the UAE’s PR ecosystem, brands are already leveraging platforms such as Meltwater, Brandwatch, and Sprout Social to better understand media performance, audience sentiment, and the broader buying landscape.

AI is also influencing emerging advertising formats. Digital billboards, for instance, are becoming more responsive, using live data inputs to tailor content based on factors such as time of day, location, and audience movement. Similarly, augmented reality experiences are beginning to incorporate behavioural insights, offering more contextual and interactive brand engagements.

Looking ahead, the trajectory appears clear. Advertising is moving towards deeper automation, more intelligent recommendations, and tighter integration between creative tools and analytics platforms. The industry is shifting from a model centred on broadcasting messages to one that focuses on responding to audiences in real time, with context and precision.

In this evolving landscape, AI is no longer just an enabler, it is becoming the foundation on which modern advertising is built.

It’s been a year and a half since we first learned about Covid-19, but the pressure on businesses to accelerate their digital transformation (DX) efforts has not abated. Of particular note is the rise of the hybrid work model.

There are two things the pandemic has proven about the ‘new’ workplace:

1) DX in businesses is essential, and

2) Technology was intrinsic to a transformational overhaul of this scale.

That technology is edge computing: The ability to optimize and extend the capability of cloud computing by bringing computation and data storage closer to the devices where it’s being gathered. It’s a fairly amorphous concept that has been around since the 1990s, but thanks to the pandemic, it has given rise to edge computing’s dark horse: the remote worker.

The pandemic has hit each market across the Middle East differently but a common theme regarding the workplace is that data is increasingly born, created, and modified in different places. While the future of work is well and truly here, businesses are still navigating uncharted waters in this space.

This begs many questions of decision makers: What’s the best way to capture and protect data? Does my edge approach meet privacy and security needs? There has been a significant shift in the approach to remote work and there’s a way that businesses can best set their employees up to ensure business continuity. It lies with edge computing – a key technology to futureproofing the new workplace environment.

Don’t Let Implementation Dictate the Outcome

According to Juniper Research, edge computing is on a growth path to U$8.3 billion spend globally, in less than five years. This has no doubt been exacerbated with the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices.  According to a report by AT Kearney Research, the IoT solutions market in the GCC will be worth $11 billion by the year 2025, generating potential value for the economy of nearly $160 billion.

As our new workplaces constitute more and more remote points of presence – mobile, tablet, smart speakers – which sees a vast amount of data being generated on the outer edge of computing networks, the task of implementing an edge strategy may fall into the too-hard basket for many, and simply out of reach for some. However, the key to edge computing success lies in focusing on the outcome, before looking at implementation.

Every business wants to analyze and activate their data, at speed, but the power of edge computing does not mean all data has to be analyzed and activated. Rather, it helps businesses ascertain at which aggregation points is best to consume data, preserve it, make inferences from, where analytics is applied, and knowledge is gleaned from. For one business, the impact could simply be installing on-site servers capable of real-time analysis. For another, it could be installing IoT sensors to help transmit data from security cameras.

Like any technology solution, implementation for the sake of doing so is not going to benefit any business. However, the edge is relevant for any business that has digitally transformed its processes, especially in the last 12 months. Edge computing allows businesses to focus on how to get the most out of their most important data, and in turn, keep up with the pace at which the workplace is transforming.

Securing the Edge

An edge strategy doesn’t mean data protection, security, and compliance efforts have to be more complicated. Traditionally, endpoint backup has been the most underrated rack of technologies but as the benefits of edge computing gain traction, its use case takes on a whole new level. And the good news is that there isn’t much ‘reinventing the wheel’ involved.

Why? The edge isn’t entirely new – it’s an extension of what we’ve known. As an accelerant of digital transformation, it’s breaking down the data center walls and pushing cloud capabilities outwards. Businesses need to remember that the edge must be treated as part of hybrid cloud architecture, of which technologies are already being used by employees to provide a seamless and secure IT experience.

Edge computing is critical to ensuring a seamless transition from the traditional workplace setting to the future of work. It is here now, and it’s hybrid. To realize its full potential, businesses must focus on the outcome rather than the implementation of the technology.

Over the next four years, the GCC’s retail sector will grow by 25 percent to USD 313 billion, according to a recent Alpen Capital report. As malls rise and expand across the region — such as City Centre Al Jazira in Abu Dhabi, the Mall of Saudi in Riyadh, and the Mall of Oman in Muscat — retailers are investing in audiovisual technology to transform the in-store experience.

“Audiovisual innovations are the biggest game changers for transforming the atmospheric and spatial qualities for GCC Smart Cities and smart interiors. In interior design intangible material such as lighting, music, acoustics, and visual technology can combine to transform the identity of a place and its experience” said Dr Dolli Daou, Director, Association of Professional Interior Designers in the UAE, on the sidelines of today’s opening of InfoComm Middle East and Africa (MEA), the region’s largest professional audiovisual event.

“To drive success, GCC mega-project developers need to integrate audiovisual experts with interior designers from the beginning of the design process in order to provide customers and end-users with the right information and experience, which in turn will drive new revenue streams and design innovations,” added Dr Dolli Daou.
InfoComm MEA, being held under the theme of “See the Future of Networked Communications,” is set to host more than 100 exhibitors from 20 countries.

Showing the strong regional growth, the Middle East and Africa spend on professional audiovisual solutions will grow to USD 12 billion by 2022, according to a new report by the professional audiovisual industry association AVIXA, co-organizers of InfoComm MEA 2017.

As malls transform into shopping destinations, live events – from concerts to promotions – are increasingly central for malls to differentiate themselves from the e-commerce experience.
“GCC malls are no longer only about shopping – with mall operators and retailers transforming malls into entertainment destinations. Professional audio solutions are central to having effective live mall events and celebrations, interactive promotional signage, and setting the atmosphere in shops and venues,” said Hans J van den Berg, CEO, AudiCom Middle East and Africa.

Dubai-based AudiCom Middle East and Africa is a leading manufacturer and distributor of audiovisual systems such as mounting systems, LCD panels, and projection screens.
High-resolution LED displays can host mall wayfinding, advertisements, and product testing.

“LED displays are the fastest-growing technology in retail across the globe, and GCC retailers can grab the attention of passers-by, immerse shoppers in different environments, and showcase the latest products and services. SiliconCore LED displays lead the market in energy efficiency and fast response time, which creates a brilliant picture quality for retail brands, said Jim Wickenhiser, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at SiliconCore.

SiliconCore is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cutting-edge LED displays and laser diode controls. At InfoComm MEA, SiliconCore is exhibiting its new Peony 2.6 mm and Magnolia 1.5 mm displays, LISA narrow pixel pitch platform, and ZACH driver chip for dynamic range and color, and exchanging best practices from retailers such as Nike Town New York.
Increasingly, GCC retailers are experimenting with in-store audio and music for enhancing the shopping experience in a 3D sound environment.

“Having the right music or audio in the right parts of the store at the right time can increase customer dwell time, purchasing choices, and sales. GCC retailers are also playing the right music to match their own brand values, and to make employees happier. Robust audio is also the foundation for successful live mall events,” said Jose dos Santos, Senior Manager of Professional Audio at Thomsun, which will showcase innovative Yamaha audio solutions.
Attendees can exchange information on latest trends and best practices during the InfoComm MEA Summit.

The 7th InfoComm MEA is running from 5-7 December 2017 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. For more information and to register for free, visit www.infocomm-mea.com.

Mindware, active in the region since opening its Dubai HQ in 1991, will be responsible for the distribution of Eaton’s Power Infrastructure Solutions, including virtualisation-ready uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), rack mountable power distribution units (ePDU®), and Intelligent Power® Manager (IPM) software.

“This partnership represents a significant development for Eaton in our channel strategy,” commented Karim Refas, Regional Channel Manager, Eaton Middle East. “We are confident that Mindware’s access to distribution networks across the GCC, together with Eaton’s range of Power Management Solutions, the partnership brings a strong proposition to the market.”

“We are delighted to team up with Eaton, one of the most reputable names in the power management arena,” commented Nicholas Argyrides, Chief of Sales and Marketing and Deputy General Manager, Mindware. “Always keeping in mind our channel partners’ needs and requirements, we feel that the Eaton line of products further complements Mindware’s existing infrastructure solutions portfolio. We are looking forward to a fruitful partnership.”

Wearables are computing devices that can be worn as clothing or accessories – including smart watches, glasses, bands, cameras, and clothing. By recording, analysing, and communicating data, wearables can provide real-time contextual information to aid in decision-making and enhancing experiences.

Use cases include constant health and fitness updates, real-time transport tracking, and augmented reality enhancing construction sites and factory floors in manufacturing.

Thanks in part to growing GCC demand for wearables, the global shipments of wearables will grow from about 90 million in 2016 to over 200 million in 2020, according to the report.

“Smart wearables will rapidly advance in technology to replace smartphones by 2020, and provide a gateway for seamless citizen interaction with the Internet of Things and Smart Cities,” said Robert Scoble, a Silicon Valley insider speaking at GITEX Technology Week 2016.

Robert Scoble, who currently serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at augmented reality and virtual reality startup Upload VR, will be one of dozens of speakers at the GITEX Conference, and a headliner of GITEX Digital Marketing Monday on digital marketing innovations.

“The GCC, with its advancing Smart Cities, is well-positioned to be among global leaders in demonstrating how wearables can be optimised for hyper-connectivity. Smart wearables can deliver an enhanced experience that was only in the realm of sci-fi films, especially in verticals such as healthcare, transportation, marketing, and retail,” added Robert Scoble.

GITEX speakers addressing wearables will include Rafael Grossmann, the first surgeon to live-stream surgery with Google Glass, Shahid Azim, Co-Founder of medical wearables startup Quanttus, and Jonathan Reichental, CIO of Palo Alto, on the future of Smart Cities.

Smart Watches Dominate Wearables Growth
Globally, smart device manufacturers are looking to cash in on the smart wearables trend. Currently, the market is dominated by smart wristbands, at 51 per cent, and smart watches, at 41 per cent, but will become more diversified by 2020, according to research firm IDC.

Smart watches will dominate, accounting for more than 50 per cent of wearable shipments by 2020. Shipments of smart watches will grow by 69 per cent annually to 2020, with revenue accelerating faster than sales at 78 per cent annually, according to Frost & Sullivan.

Smart bands will remain a specialised market. Smart cameras, glasses, and clothing will see specialised growth – for example in athletics, or jobs in high-risk environments – before becoming more consumer friendly. Smart glasses will gain market traction in the next two to three years, with sales accelerating rapidly towards 2020, according to Frost & Sullivan.

While Apple has staked an early market lead in smart wearables, major technology brands such as Garmin, LG Electronics, Lenovo, and Samsung have seen double-digit shipment growth year-over-year, with strong potential in niche wearables, according to IDC analysis.

“The growing Samsung device ecosystem is one based on seamless connectivity and interoperability. Our smartwatches, including the recently-announced Gear S3, not only compliment this universe but adds an additional layer of functionality and mobility,” Mohammed Gharaibeh, Head of B2B for Information and Mobility at Samsung Gulf Electronics.

“As a fashion statement, activity tracker, personal assistant, music player and navigator, our smartwatches are transcending conventional confines of what a watch should be,” added Mohammed Gharaibeh.

GCC Set for Strong Wearables Growth

The Middle East is a growing market for wearable manufacturers and distributors, thanks to high mobile penetration in the GCC region, according to the Frost & Sullivan report.

“Dubai aims to be one of the world’s smartest cities, and wearable innovators will look to the city for how wearables can fully realise the potential of the Internet of Things. GITEX will be a showcase for how seamless connectivity can transform daily lives – across mobile operators, wearable developers, and startups,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice-President, Exhibitions and Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Wearables will be in the spotlight at GITEX Tech Watch, showcasing the latest innovative and immersive technology. Global entrepreneurs in the wearables sector can seek funding and partnerships at the GITEX Startups Movement, which aims to be the world’s most global startup event in 2016. One of the leading wearable startups participating is Mosaikx, a UAE-based company that has launched the world’s first wearable smart voice recorder.

Aiming to boost the reach of startups will be accelerators and incubators such as Oasis500 from Jordan, the BADIR Programme for Science and Technology and InspireU by STC from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the Skolkovo Foundation from Russia, the Dubai Technology Entrepreneurship Centre, and the Japan External Trade Organisation.