Countrymen of Forbes list billionaires estimate impact of their money on Caucasus

Billionaires Suleiman Kerimov and Vagit Alekperov are engaged in active development of projects in Dagestan and Azerbaijan, while Caucasian natives Leonid Mikhelson and Gennady Timchenko have actually broken the ties with their small motherland.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Dagestani natives Leonid Mikhelson and Suleiman Kerimov, as well as Vagit Alekperov and Gennady Timchenko, natives of Southern Caucasus, are included in the Forbes top twenty of the Russia's richest businessmen in 2018.

Residents of Kaspiysk interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent have told that they did not hear anything about the charitable or patronage activities of Leonid Mikhelson in Kaspiysk.

"If there was such information, it would be for sure spread throughout the city," said Mirza Musaev, a 35-year-old teacher at a city schools.

In turn, Suleiman Kerimov is well-known in Dagestan for his charitable projects, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Roman Safanov, a resident of Derbent. As an example, the man referred to repair of Derbent School No. 18. "I believe that the man does everything in his power for people," said the resident of Derbent.

The "Lukoil" Company, headed by Vagit Alekperov, has been working in Azerbaijan since the mid-1990s, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by Ilham Shaban, the head of the "Caspian Barrel" Oil Research Centre.

According to him, the company is now involved in the development of the "Shah-Deniz" offshore gas condensate field in the Caspian Sea.

Besides, Vagit Alekperov takes part in the implementation of social projects in Azerbaijan. In particular, he has sponsored the renovation and re-equipment of the school No. 169 in the Bakikhanov settlement in Baku, where he studied.

Gennady Timchenko is affiliated with Gyumri (formerly Leninakan), the second largest city of Armenia, only due to the fact that he was born and lived for several years in the city, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Karine Arutyunyan, the executive director of the GALA TV Channel of Gyumri.

"After his family members left the city, he did not show any interest in Leninakan. Of course, had he implemented any financial projects, everyone would be aware of that," Karine Arutyunyan said.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.