On 11 February, we hosted our first AHK Business Breakfast of 2026 in Dubai.
Dr. Martin Henkelmann, CEO of the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK), opened the morning and welcomed our guests. He was joined by H.E. Sybille Pfaff, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dubai. We were particularly honoured to welcome H.E. Jürgen Barke, Minister of Economics, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy and Deputy Prime Minister of Saarland, as our guest of honour - a clear signal of the strong political commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
The economic outlook for the region is notably positive. Heena Nazir, Director at Germany Trade & Invest GmbH (GTAI), highlighted that GCC growth is expected to accelerate in 2026, driven primarily by a resilient non-oil sector alongside a rebound in oil activity. Germany remains the leading EU exporter to both the UAE and Saudi Arabia and continues to rank among the top suppliers across GCC markets. German exports to the GCC increased by 11.9% year-on-year (January–November 2025), with growth largely driven by the UAE.
Providing a corporate perspective, Benjamin Copley, Economics Director at PwC Middle East, shared insights from a recent CEO survey. The findings were compelling: 88% of Middle East CEOs expressed strong confidence in domestic economic growth over the next 12 months. The region ranks among the top ten global destinations for international investment and leads globally in AI adoption across businesses. Despite persistent global uncertainties, CEOs across the GCC demonstrate remarkable optimism and a clear focus on future growth.
It was a highly engaging morning with our members and guests, offering valuable insights and excellent networking opportunities to start the year on a strong note.
