A new HSBC survey of 3,000 international businesses—including 600 in Saudi Arabia and the UAE—finds AI adoption and supply chain redesign are top priorities for resilient growth. Ninety-eight percent of Saudi firms and 95% of UAE firms see international growth potential in supply chain reconfiguration. Sixty percent cite access to critical technologies as a major strategic influence, while 52% (UAE) and 46% (Saudi) rank AI/tech investments among their top three portfolio repositioning drivers. Investment horizons have lengthened significantly—73% in Saudi Arabia and 67% in the UAE—reflecting a deliberate shift toward long-term positioning.
According to economymiddleeast.com, a new HSBC survey reveals that AI adoption and supply chain redesign are the top strategic priorities for businesses in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates seeking resilient growth amid regional volatility.
Survey Scope and Confidence Levels
The independent HSBC survey, conducted in mid-March 2026 ahead of its Global Investment Summit, polled 3,000 international businesses and institutional investors across ten markets—including 600 respondents in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It found that 57 percent of Saudi respondents and 50 percent of UAE respondents “strongly believe” in their ability to reposition their organizations for the longer term—well above the 36 percent average across Europe and Asia.
Supply Chain Redesign as a Growth Lever
Supply chain transformation is central to GCC growth strategy. The source states that 98 percent of Saudi respondents and 95 percent of UAE respondents agree that international growth opportunities exist from reconfiguring supply chains—even amid ongoing volatility. Further, 94 percent of businesses in both countries expect cross-border trade and investment patterns to become more regional over the next five years, signaling a deliberate shift toward strengthening intraregional corridors while preserving global reach.
AI and Technology Investment Acceleration
Technology access is now a decisive strategic factor: 60 percent of respondents said access to critical technologies and infrastructure will be a major influence on their organization’s strategy over the next three years. AI and digital tools are being deployed specifically to enhance forecasting, decision-making, and operational resilience. Increasing exposure to AI and tech-related investments ranked among the top three drivers of portfolio repositioning—cited by 52 percent of UAE respondents and 46 percent of Saudi respondents.
Longer-Term Investment Horizons
Organizations are extending timeframes to match strategic complexity. Globally, 53 percent of businesses reported lengthening their investment horizons compared with three years ago; in Saudi Arabia, that share rose to 73 percent, and in the UAE to 67 percent.
“As a lynchpin of global trade, this survey gives a glimpse of the immediate response measures undertaken by firms in Saudi Arabia and the UAE to secure the flow of goods and trade, amid disruption in the region.” — Selim Kervanci, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT), HSBC Bank Middle East
“Businesses in Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain committed to medium-term strategies, anchored by their confidence in the GCC’s economic fundamentals and long-term diversification plans… They are also looking to deploy investment in AI and digital capabilities to help improve productivity, decision-making and competitiveness.” — Selim Kervanci, Chief Executive Officer, Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye (MENAT), HSBC Bank Middle East
Source: economymiddleeast.com
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
