Have a million or a millionaire mindset?

The Life: Do you like the idea of mixing with rich and influential people? Consider joining The Millionaires Business Club, a new networking association in the UAE.

"We're actually targeting to expand into 50 cities in the next five to six years," says Tareq bin Juma. Satish Kumar / The National

The Millionaires Business Club, a new networking association in the UAE, gives rich and influential people the chance to mingle with each other. But you do not, as the name suggests, actually need to have a million dollars in the bank to join. Tareq bin Juma, the club's chief executive, explains.

How did the idea come about?

It was going around between me and my friends. We were looking for a platform. Ever since we have been doing business we have missed a lot of opportunities. After a while you find out that a link was a cousin or a friend, just around the family or friends. We thought we have to start a platform. Most of the other business clubs don't have an attractive level of quality and good business people.

Do you have to be a millionaire to join it?

You could have some kind of asset, or you could have a million-dollar idea. We have a committee which will decide on the membership. After you submit an application for membership, your application will go through a process of screening. You could come in as an innovator with ideas or you could already be a millionaire. But we are looking for that quality person.

Why did you choose the name Millionaires Club then, if you do not have to technically be one to join?

It is more of an attractive name, and we thought it could be a quality line, that you could have a millionaire mind. The other thing is that we are targeting an international platform. We as business people … are always looking for that shortcut. If I am going to Qatar or Saudi, or I need that shortcut and make myself [known] to the quality business people, [then] I don't have to go searching for them. Our club will provide you with that platform.

So your membership is open to people who do not live in the UAE?

We're actually targeting to expand into 50 cities in the next five to six years. We are starting from the UAE. But we already have a lot of contacts. I have worked in the government sector for a long time in international relations. People are interested to get something from the UAE or to give something to the UAE. And they have to contact so many people to get to the right person. This platform should be, let's say, providing this shortcut to so many people.

How will the networking aspect work?

We will have two ways of networking. There will be an online platform, where you can network and get together with people all over the world, members, and we will have real events on the ground.

How many members do you have?

So far we have reached around 300 people.

Are you a millionaire yourself?

You can say that.

* Gillian Duncan