By John Helmer, Moscow
Suleiman Kerimov is a businessman of note. He is also a member of the Federation Council, as the upper chamber of the Russian parliament is called. His long parliamentary career began in 1999, when he was elected to the State Duma, as the lower chamber is known. Unlike any elected deputy or senator you can think of the world over, Kerimov doesn’t make speeches in public or in the chamber; and he doesn’t answer questions from the press
But he does write – and for the first time in public, Kerimov has provided this intimate portrait of himself on Wikipedia, crossing out some phrases and facts, and replacing them with others, constantly updating his story. To the left the old tale, to the right, this month’s new one.
Suleyman Kerimov
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”Suleyman Abusaidan xva Kerimov”’ ([[Lezgi language|Lezgian]]: Сулейман Абусаидан хва Керимов, {{lang-ru|Сулейман Абусаидович Керимов}}) ([[Lezgins|Lezgi]], born [[March 12]], [[1966]] in [[Derbent]], [[Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Dagestan]], [[Soviet Union|USSR]]) is a member of the [[Federation Council of Russia|Federation Council]] of [[Russia]]. He is a member of [[United Russia]], after leaving the [[LDPR]] when still a [[State Duma]] member in 2007. He has a degree in construction from the [[Dagestan Polytechnic Institute]] and in economics from [[Dagestan State University]].[Link] He is a billionaire and is known as “Russia’s Richest Civil Servant”.{{Citation needed|date=February 2007}} Listed no. 196 on [[Forbes]]’ [[List of billionaires (2006)|World’s Richest People List]], however, there seems to be controversy over his ranking since his assets appear to have been financed by significant debts about which no public disclosure has been made. Kerimov controls [[Nafta-Moskva]], a successor to the Soviet oil trader Soyuzneftexport and SWIRU Holding AG of [[Lucerne]], and has built up his wealth investing in [[Gazprom]] and [[Sberbank]]. Until recently, Nafta-Moskva owned 5% of Sberbank and 20% of BINBank, from which it borrowed to finance its leveraged investments in resource companies, using the acquired shares as collateral pledges. He is an enigmatic figure who claims to eschew publicity but advertises a lavish lifestyle in the media. |
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”’Suleyman Abusaidovich Kerimov”’ ({{lang-ru|Сулейман Абусаидович Керимов}}) ([[Lezgins|Lezgin]], born March 12, 1966 in [[Derbent]], [[Dagestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Dagestan]], [[Soviet Union|USSR]]) is a member of the [[Federation Council of Russia|Federation Council]] of [[Russia]], an investor and an active philanthropist. He has a degree in financial accounting and economics from [[Dagestan State University]].[Link] |
Further controversy surrounds the original source of wealth preceding the heavy borrowings of the years 2003-2005. In December 2005, Kerimov reportedly bought [[Polimetall]], one of the country’s largest gold and silver mines, using a $1 billion short term loan from Sberbank. In 2006 he tried and failed to IPO 25% of Polimetall on the [[London Stock Exchange]] for the original $1 billion price that he bought all of the company for. Allen Vine is the CEO of Nafta-Moskva and remains affiliated with [[Merrill Lynch]], which also advises Nafta-Moskva. |
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From 1999 to 2007, Kerimov served as a Deputy of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament. He was Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Physical Education, Youth and Sports and also a member of the State Duma’s Security Committee. On Dec. 10, 2007, he became a Member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament. He now serves as a member of the Financial Markets and Monetary Circulation Committee.[[Link Official biography from Russian Federation Council] (Russian language, accessed 11-30-10)] |
Nafta-Moskva was named by the [[United States Department of Justice]] along with [[Vladimir Zhirinovsky]] (head of the LDPR Party) and US oil company [[Bayoil]] in the [[Oil-for-Food Programme|U.N. Oil for Food scandals]] of 2005. Zhirinovsky and Kerimov both visited [[Iraq]] in 1998 on an airplane provided by Kerimov’s airline company at the time. |
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Kerimov is currently listed as number 136 on [[Forbes list of billionaires|Forbes’ list of The World’s Billionaires]], with a reported net worth of $5.5 billion.[“The World’s Billionaires.” ”[Link]”. March 10, 2010.] |
==Accident in Nice, France== |
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==Investments== |
On [[November 26]], [[2006]], in [[Nice, France]] Kerimov was seriously injured in a road accident on the [[Promenade des Anglais]], while driving a black [[Ferrari Enzo]], belonging to Swiru Holding AG’ s president Alexander Studhalter. The car left the road at high speed and split in half after hitting a tree before bursting into flames [{{fr icon}} [Link “Nice matin” local newspaper front page, with picture]]. He suffered severe burns and doctors were not sure he would recover.[{{fr icon}} [Link “Nice rendez-vous” article]] Alerted by smoke, the firemen of the Airport Nice Riviera extinguished the fire of the car. Kerimov was transported by helicopter to the Regional Burns Center at the Conception Hospital in [[Marseille]], where he was placed on a respirator. “His condition is very worrying and the next 48 hours will be critical,” declared a spokesman for the Assistance Publique of the Hospitals of Marseilles (APHM). |
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The passenger, Russian television presenter [[Tina Kandelaki]], was only slightly wounded in the crash and was for a short time hospitalized in Nice. After returning to Moscow, she at first denied having been in Nice at the time. It is still not entirely clear why Kerimov’s car left the road on the western entry of the Promenade des Anglais in mid-afternoon, though Tina Kandelaki claimed Kerimov had wanted to avoid an unknown pedestrian who had suddenly appeared before the car[[Link], biography of Tina Kandelaki on Lentapedia (accessed on 07-03-2008). ]. Considering the identity of the principal victim, the investigation was entrusted to the Criminal Investigation Department of Nice. |
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A self-made investor, Kerimov earned his success by building a diverse investment portfolio made up of both public and private interests. |
Shortly after the accident, Kerimov was transported to the Military Hospital at [[Neder-Over-Heembeek]], [[Belgium]] for treatment. This VIP treatment had been arranged by relatives and by friends living in Belgium, who contacted the Belgian Prime Minister [[Guy Verhofstadt]] and the Belgian Minister of Defence [[André Flahaut]] |
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In 1993, Kerimov helped to establish Fedprombank, which positioned him to finance lagging industries in need of cash. He became a creditor to large utility companies, allowing them to continue to provide key services, and he earned significant returns once the economy stabilized and the debts were repaid.[”Sale of the Century”. Chrystia Freeland, Little, Brown and Company, 2000.] |
[Humo, Belgian weekly, article by Raf Sauvillier on 04-03-2008, pages 150-152]. According to statements by the [[Ministry of Defence (Belgium)|Belgian Department of Defense]], all costs of the treatment were paid for by Kerimov himself. |
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After the accident Kerimov announced that he would donate $100 million towards the construction of a mosque in Moscow. This decision was made after Kerimov met with Chairman of Russian Mufti Council Sheikh Ravil Gainutdin.[Link John Fenzel] |
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At the end of 1999, Kerimov acquired [[Nafta-Moskva]], which was established in 1994 as a successor to the Soviet oil trader Soyuzneftexport. He assumed full control over the company in 2000. Kerimov undertook a mass restructuring of the company, selling off all of the oil-related aspects and creating an investment and holding company.[“Revamp – Nafta Gets To Grips With German Affiliate,” NEFTE Compass. July 6, 2000.] |
On February 16, 2008, news broke in Belgian papers that treatment by Belgian hospital staff had been ongoing in Russia since Kerimov’s release from the hospital. The new Belgian Minister of Defence, Pieter De Crem, wanted the home treatment by Belgian medical staff suspended immediately. |
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In 2003, Kerimov began investing heavily in blue-chip Russian companies such as [[Gazprom]] and [[Sberbank]], diversifying later into the investments portfolios consisting of Western financial institutions and industrial companies. Kerimov sold most of those investments in 2008. |
As a result of treatment Kerimov donated €1 million to the non-profit organisation Pinocchio. The non-profit organisation, which works with children suffering from burns, has an annual budget of between €250-300 thousand.[[Link Article on deredatie.be, with video, July 9, 2008]] |
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In December 2005, Kerimov bought [[Polymetal]], one of the country’s largest gold and silver mines.[“Suleyman Kerimov To Buy Polymetal For $900 Mln –Vedomosti.” Dow Jones. October 26, 2005.] In 2007, he took the company public on the [[London Stock Exchange]][“Russian miner Polymetal starts IPO roadshow.” Reuters. January 25, 2007.], and later selling his 70 percent stake in June 2008 to a group of Russian investors.[“UPDATE 1-Russia’s Kerimov plans to sell Polymetal- report,” [Link Reuters]. May 15, 2008.] |
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At the beginning of 2009, Kerimov bought 37% of [[Polyus Gold]], a large Russian gold producer, from Vladimir Potanin. Currently, Kerimov and Michael Prokhorov together control up to 80% in the company. |
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In September 2010, Potash mining company [[Uralkali]], in which Kerimov holds a 25 percent stake, was in talks with Chinese chemical maker [[Sinochem]] over a possible joint bid for [[Potash Corp]]., the world’s largest fertilizer producer.[“Scenarios: Russia’s Kerimov creates national potash giant.” [Link Reuters]. August 20, 2010.] However, those negotiations reportedly have stalled due a lawsuit filed in Cyprus.[“Sinochem’s Potash talks with UralKali collapse- report.” [Link Reuters]. September 29, 2010.] |
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Kerimov is married and has three children.[“The World’s Billionaires.” ”[Link Forbes]”. March 10, 2010.] A lifelong athlete and supporter of youth sports, Kerimov currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Wrestling Federation. He has served in this position since the board was created in 2006.[Russian Wrestling Federation website (accessed on 28-10-2010). ] |
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On November 26, 2006, in [[Nice, France]] Kerimov was seriously injured in a road accident on the [[Promenade des Anglais]]. He suffered severe burns from this accident followed by prolonged recovery. [{{fr icon}} [Link “Nice rendez-vous” article]] |
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Following his car crash and resulting medical treatment for severe burns, Kerimov donated €1 million to the non-profit organisation Pinocchio. The non-profit organisation, which works with children suffering from burns, has an annual budget of between €250-300 thousand.[[Link, with video, July 9, 2008]] |
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In 2007, Kerimov founded The Suleiman Kerimov Foundation with the vision to help lives by investing in initiatives that strengthen communities and help those in need. The foundation supports projects all over the world, with particular emphasis on Russia and Russian communities. Between its 2007 and 2009, the foundation made donations totaling over USD164 million in support of worthwhile projects and causes.[Link] |
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On December 17, 2010, the press reported that Kerimov will spend $100 million on the construction of an advanced comprehensive school west of Moscow |
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“for educating forward-minded children from different social groups.” The school will include a modern sports complex with a swimming pool, a skating-rink, a giant dance floor, as well as a residential area for gifted children from the provinces.[“Tycoon Kerimov ‘to build $100-million-school near Moscow.’” ”[Link RIA Novosti]”. 17/12/10.] |
==References== |
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==References== |
* [Link Mineweb Message Board] |
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* [Link Mineweb Message Board] |
* [Link Ice] Photos of Suleyman Kerimov’s |
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* [Link Ice] Photos of Suleyman Kerimov’s |
* [Link Kerimov’s crash]Kerimov’s crash |
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* [Link Kerimov’s crash] Kerimov’s crash |
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DATE OF BIRTH = March 12, 1966 |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kerimov, Suleyman}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kerimov, Suleyman}} |
[[Category:1966 births]] |
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[[Category:1966 births]] |
[[Category:People from Derbent]] |
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[[Category:People from Derbent]] |
[[az:Süleyman Kərimov]] |
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[[az:Süleyman Kərimov]] |
[[de:Suleiman Abusaidowitsch Kerimow]] |
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[[de:Suleiman Abusaidowitsch Kerimow]] |
Current revision as of 20:01, 21 December 2010
Suleyman Abusaidovich Kerimov (Russian: Сулейман Абусаидович Керимов) (Lezgin, born March 12, 1966 in Derbent, Dagestan, USSR) is a member of the Federation Council of Russia, an investor and an active philanthropist. He has a degree in financial accounting and economics from Dagestan State University.[1]
From 1999 to 2007, Kerimov served as a Deputy of the State Duma, the lower chamber of the Russian Parliament. He was Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Physical Education, Youth and Sports and also a member of the State Duma’s Security Committee. On Dec. 10, 2007, he became a Member of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the upper chamber of the Russian Parliament. He now serves as a member of the Financial Markets and Monetary Circulation Committee.[2]
Kerimov is currently listed as number 136 on Forbes’ list of The World’s Billionaires, with a reported net worth of $5.5 billion.[3]
[edit] Investments
A self-made investor, Kerimov earned his success by building a diverse investment portfolio made up of both public and private interests.
In 1993, Kerimov helped to establish Fedprombank, which positioned him to finance lagging industries in need of cash. He became a creditor to large utility companies, allowing them to continue to provide key services, and he earned significant returns once the economy stabilized and the debts were repaid.[4]
At the end of 1999, Kerimov acquired Nafta-Moskva, which was established in 1994 as a successor to the Soviet oil trader Soyuzneftexport. He assumed full control over the company in 2000. Kerimov undertook a mass restructuring of the company, selling off all of the oil-related aspects and creating an investment and holding company.[5]
In 2003, Kerimov began investing heavily in blue-chip Russian companies such as Gazprom and Sberbank, diversifying later into the investments portfolios consisting of Western financial institutions and industrial companies. Kerimov sold most of those investments in 2008.
In December 2005, Kerimov bought Polymetal, one of the country’s largest gold and silver mines.[6] In 2007, he took the company public on the London Stock Exchange[7], and later selling his 70 percent stake in June 2008 to a group of Russian investors.[8]
At the beginning of 2009, Kerimov bought 37% of Polyus Gold, a large Russian gold producer, from Vladimir Potanin. Currently, Kerimov and Michael Prokhorov together control up to 80% in the company.
In September 2010, Potash mining company Uralkali, in which Kerimov holds a 25 percent stake, was in talks with Chinese chemical maker Sinochem over a possible joint bid for Potash Corp., the world’s largest fertilizer producer.[9] However, those negotiations reportedly have stalled due a lawsuit filed in Cyprus.[10]
[edit] Personal
Kerimov is married and has three children.[11] A lifelong athlete and supporter of youth sports, Kerimov currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Wrestling Federation. He has served in this position since the board was created in 2006.[12]
On November 26, 2006, in Nice, France Kerimov was seriously injured in a road accident on the Promenade des Anglais. He suffered severe burns from this accident followed by prolonged recovery. [13]
[edit] Philanthropy
Following his car crash and resulting medical treatment for severe burns, Kerimov donated €1 million to the non-profit organisation Pinocchio. The non-profit organisation, which works with children suffering from burns, has an annual budget of between €250-300 thousand.[14]
In 2007, Kerimov founded The Suleiman Kerimov Foundation with the vision to help lives by investing in initiatives that strengthen communities and help those in need. The foundation supports projects all over the world, with particular emphasis on Russia and Russian communities. Between its 2007 and 2009, the foundation made donations totaling over USD164 million in support of worthwhile projects and causes.[15]
On December 17, 2010, the press reported that Kerimov will spend $100 million on the construction of an advanced comprehensive school west of Moscow "for educating forward-minded children from different social groups.” The school will include a modern sports complex with a swimming pool, a skating-rink, a giant dance floor, as well as a residential area for gifted children from the provinces.[16]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.usrbc.org/Members-Only/Russian%20Government%20and%20Regions/duma/deputy.htm
- ^ Official biography from Russian Federation Council (Russian language, accessed 11-30-10)
- ^ “The World’s Billionaires.” Forbes. March 10, 2010.
- ^ Sale of the Century. Chrystia Freeland, Little, Brown and Company, 2000.
- ^ “Revamp – Nafta Gets To Grips With German Affiliate,” NEFTE Compass. July 6, 2000.
- ^ “Suleyman Kerimov To Buy Polymetal For $900 Mln –Vedomosti.” Dow Jones. October 26, 2005.
- ^ “Russian miner Polymetal starts IPO roadshow.” Reuters. January 25, 2007.
- ^ “UPDATE 1-Russia’s Kerimov plans to sell Polymetal- report,” Reuters. May 15, 2008.
- ^ “Scenarios: Russia’s Kerimov creates national potash giant.” Reuters. August 20, 2010.
- ^ “Sinochem’s Potash talks with UralKali collapse- report.” Reuters. September 29, 2010.
- ^ “The World’s Billionaires.” Forbes. March 10, 2010.
- ^ Russian Wrestling Federation website (accessed on 28-10-2010).
- ^ (French) "Nice rendez-vous" article
- ^ Article on deredatie.be, with video, July 9, 2008
- ^ http://www.moneyhouse.ch/u/suleiman_kerimov_foundation_CH-100.7.788.244-4.htm
- ^ “Tycoon Kerimov ‘to build $100-million-school near Moscow.’” RIA Novosti. 17/12/10.
by John Helmer - Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
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