The six GCC economies — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — are not just recovering; they are re-architecting growth. After a near-stall in 2023, the region accelerated in 2024 and is set for a clearer upswing through 2025–2026.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman—is pivoting from its oil-dependent past toward a future defined by smart cities.