Dmytro Firtash

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Dmytro Firtash
Дмитро́ Фі́рташ
File:D F photo tif.jpg
Born (1965-05-02) 2 May 1965 (age 58)
Bohdanivka, Ukraine, Soviet Union
Occupation Businessman, philantropist
Spouse(s) Lada Firtash
Children 3
Website dmitryfirtash.com

Dmytro Vasylovych Firtash (Ukrainian: Дмитро́ Васи́льович Фі́рташ) is a Ukrainian businessman, investor and philanthropist. He is head of the board of directors of Group DF,[1] President of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FEU),[2] Chairman of the National Tripartite Social and Economic Council (NTSEC),[3] Co-Chairman of Domestic and Foreign Investors Advisory Council under the Ministry of Education, Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine,[4] and a member of the Committee for Economic Reforms under the President of Ukraine.[5]

Early life

Firtash was born on 2 May 1965 in Bohdanivka (within Zalishchiky Raion of Ternopil oblast), Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, now Synkiv, Ukraine.[6]

Assets

Firtash is co-owner of RosUkrEnergo and controls much of Ukraine's titanium business. He gained control of previously state-owned titanium assets across Ukraine in 2004. He also owns several chemical plants.[7] In May 2011, Firtash took over Nadra Bank (at the time Ukraine's 11th largest bank). Nadra Bank had gone into default in 2009 but it has since restructured its foreign debt with significant write-offs.[8]

Firtash was elected President of the Joint Representative Body,a joint representative agency of employers at the national level, on 29 November 2011.[9]

Firtash has become one of the leading investors in the power sector and chemical industry in Central and Eastern Europe.[10] His plants and companies are present in Ukraine, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Tajikistan, Switzerland, Hungary, Austria and Estonia. The international group of companies Group DF ('The Firtash group of companies') founded by Firtash in 2007 consolidates assets in the chemical industry, power sector and real estate.

In 2010, Firtash launched an effort towards consolidation of the Ukrainian nitrogen business. From September 2010 to September 2011, Firtash acquired ownership in 'Concern STIROL' (Horlivka), 'Severodonetsk Production Association Azot' and 'Cherkassy Azot'.[11] In just over a year, the joint marketing strategy of the four fertilizers manufacturers owned by Firtash substantially strengthened its domestic market position. The businessman is also actively pursuing an agenda of titanium industries development.[12]

Business career

Firtash started in business almost immediately after completing his military service. He founded his own trading company first in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, eventually moving to Moscow in the early 1990s.

In 2007, a private international group of companies, Group DF ("the Firtash group of companies") was formed to consolidate Dmitry Firtash's business assets in different sectors. Presently, Group DF incorporates assets in the chemical industry, energy sector and real estate, and this consolidation effort is still underway.

In 2010, Firtash launched an effort towards consolidation of the Ukrainian nitrogen business. From September 2010 to September 2011, Firtash acquired ownership in Concern STIROL (Gorlovka), Severodonetsk Production Association Azot and Cherkassy Azot. In just over a year, the joint marketing strategy of the four fertilizer manufacturers owned by Firtash substantially strengthened its domestic market position. He is also actively pursuing an agenda of titanium industry development.[13]

Firtash bought 100 percent of InterInter Media Group Limited (back) from Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi on 1 February 2013, for his GDF Media Limited.[14] In June 2007 Khoroshkovskyi had expanded his U.A. Inter Media Group Ltd with various other channels bought from Firtash.[15]

In April 2014 Dmitry Firtash stated[16] that despite the difficult conditions of doing business in Ukraine, as well as the political crisis, OSTCHEM enterprises, part of Dmitry Firtash's Group DF, continued to ramp up production.[17][18][19] The investments directed to the development and modernization of OSTCHEM enterprises allowed significant increases in the production capacities of Rivne Azot, Stirol Concern, and Crimea soda plant in Q1 2014.[20] From the beginning of the political crises in Ukraine, Firtash had a clear-cut position concerning Euromaydan.[21][22] On 30 January 2014 he called for a peaceful and civilized conflict resolution.[23]

On 23 July 2013 brothers Ilya and Vadim Segal, the New York-based owners of Dancroft Holdings, brought charges in New York County Supreme Court against Firtash and Nadra Bank, Ukraine's eighth-largest bank.[24] The suit accuses Firtash, the banks owner, of seizing their assets via "sham lawsuits" over debt, and of using his connections with President Viktor Yanukovich to guarantee the outcomes in court cases.[25] The suit stated that the former head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Valeriy Khoroshkovskyi, is a business partner of Firtash, together with head of the presidential administration Serhiy Lyovochkin, and former Ukrainian energy minister, (at the time of the complaint) Deputy Prime Minister Yuriy Boiko. According to the complaint, the SBU, in bringing charges against the Segals, was simply acting on behalf of Firtash.[26]

Social activities

Firtash has pursued an active public agenda. His important initiative has been the unification of employers' organizations of Ukraine into a single powerful association, the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, of which he has been President since November 2011. At the present, the FEU membership unites companies and enterprises collectively generating 70 percent of Ukraine's GDP.[27]

Firtash is one of Ukraine's leading philanthropists,[28] providing systemic support to education,[29] science,[30] theaters, and[31] museums,[32] as well as historical, cultural and humanitarian projects.[33] Firtash's enterprises have promoted the social and economic development of municipalities where they are based.

In 2008, on Firtash's initiative and with his financial support, the University of Cambridge (UK) established a Cambridge Ukrainian Studies program[34] aimed at promoting the study of Ukraine's rich cultural heritage in the United Kingdom and beyond. Another charity initiative by Firtash enabled the establishment of Cambridge-Ukraine Studentships,[35] that make it possible for eligible students from Ukraine to seek a master's degree at the University of Cambridge. The scholarships cover the cost of both tuition and accommodation for qualified students.

Firtash has supported a series of other massive educational projects. He financed the construction of the Ukrainian Catholic University campus in the city of Lviv.[36]

The Holy Trinity Cathedral at the Holy Ascension Monastery in the village of Bancheny of Chernivtsi region were constructed with funds raised by the Orthodox community and a sizable contribution from Firtash. Firtash's support was recognized by the Orthodox church: His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia awarded the philanthropist with the Order of Venerable Serafim Sarowsky, 2nd Degree.[37]

In 2011 Firtash was elected as a President of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, a Ukrainian employers' organization representing their interests in the economic, social and labor relations with the government and trade unions at the national level.

In 2012 Firtash initiated the establishment of a venture investment fund aimed at supporting small enterprise by creating preconditions for realization of business ideas featuring a lucrative commercial potential. Bukovyna has become Ukraine's first investment fund offering preferential lending support to small businesses. It is the only fund financing the development of promising ideas 'from scratch' in all sectors of the economy.[38]

In October 2013, Firtash was introduced into the state commission of cooperation with the World Trade Organization by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych.[39] This is stated in the №540 decree of the President of Ukraine.

Politics

In spring 2002, Dmitry Firtash tried to go to the Parliament being member of the all-Ukrainian political association "Women for the Future", which was under the patronage of Lyudmila Kuchma, wife of the then President of Ukraine. However, the association "Women for the Future" won only 2.11% of votes[40] and Mr. Firtash didn't get to Parliament. According to media reports, in 2010, Mr. Firtash was involved in financing of Viktor Yanukovych's presidential campaign.[41]

In 2011, Mr.Firtash said that Yushchenko had planned good reforms, but Tymoshenko didn't let him implement them.[42]

2014 criminal case

On 13 March 2014, Austrian authorities arrested Firtash on bribery and other charges at the request of American law enforcement agencies.[43]

Firtash was released from custody in Vienna after being ordered to pay the bail of €125m (£105m, $172m), the largest in Austrian legal history. In a video released then, "thankfully, I have the utmost confidence in the Austrian judicial system and will use all legal means to prove my innocence".[44] However, he was more scathing with the US authorities, who he claims are landing him with allegations that are "completely absurd and unfounded". He is one of the biggest investors in Ukraine, employing more than 100,000 workers in the country, and is a major international benefactor who has donated $230 million in the past three years, including charitable projects in the US, UK and Ukraine.[45]

In the ruling by the Regional Court in Vienna on 30 April 2015, the extradition request was rejected. “America obviously saw Firtash as somebody who was threatening their economic interests,” Judge Bauer said, explaining his decision from the bench. But he also said the United States had not provided coherent evidence of a crime either: “There just wasn’t sufficient proof.” The New York Times commented on the decision as amounting to a "scathing rebuke of the Justice and State Departments", reflecting the diminished credibility of the United States authorities, even in the eyes of a European ally. During the process Judge Bauer said "that he did not doubt the veracity of two witnesses cited by American prosecutors in their filings, “but whether these witnesses even existed,” because the Justice Department had repeatedly refused to provide requested information or respond to questions".[46]

Firtash says that indictment issued by the USA against him is absurd and baseless. This was stated in a video address of him.[47] Firtash stresses: he and the whole Ukraine have turned out to be in the center of geopolitical battle between the USA and Russia. And he considers all accusations against him as politically motivated.[48][49] He also said that being a Ukrainian citizen he was waiting for the 2014 Ukrainian presidential election and hoped to build stable and prosperous state together with fellow citizens. "I will not allow my reputation being spoiled by the enemies with political motivations that have nothing in common with interests of Ukraine and its citizens", – said Firtash.[50]

Family

Firtash has maried twice.[51] His first wife gave birth to his oldest daughter, his second and current wife to one daughter and one son.[51] According to an April 2016 declaration on Inter TV's website (owned by Firtash) his wife Lada, his daughter Anna and son Dmitri are all Russian citizens.[52] Meanwhile his oldest daughter Ivanna, and her mother Maria are Ukrainian citizens.[51][52]

Charity

Firtash is a member of the Guild of Cambridge Benefactors, set up in 1998 to recognize the generosity of major benefactors over £1 million to the University and Cambridge Colleges.[53] At a Guild of Cambridge Benefactors' event held on 19 March 2014 to honor the University's most prestigious donors, his wife Lada Firtash was in attendance. A group which calls itself Positive Investment Cambridge (PIC) handed out leaflets and daffodils to donors attending the event that called for the University to "spring clean" its donations.[54]

References

  1. ↑ About Group DF
  2. ↑ Site of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine. Fru.org.ua (21 March 2014). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  3. ↑ The National Tripartite Social and Economic Council. Ntser.gov.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  4. ↑ The Ministry of Education, Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine
  5. ↑ The Committee for Economic Reforms under the President of Ukraine. Kontrakty.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  6. ↑ Personal site of Dmitry Firtash. Dmitryfirtash.com (15 July 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Site of Group DF) Archived 24 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Ukrainian tycoon Firtash takes over bank Nadra, Reuters. 4 May 2011.
  9. ↑ Firtash elected head of Federation of Employers of Ukraine, Kyiv Post. Kyiv Post. 6 December 2010.
  10. ↑ Worldfolio. "By making my company big and competitive, I make Ukraine big and competitive.". Worldfolio.co.uk. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  11. ↑ Ft. "Firtash acquires third chemical plant"
  12. ↑ Interfax. "Group DF acquires 32.7% stake in Italian titanium alloy producer via its affiliated company". Interfax.com.ua (20 October 2012). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  13. ↑ Interfax. "Ukraine's economic news Group DF acquires 32.7% stake in Italian titanium alloy producer via its affiliated company". Interfax.com.ua (20 October 2012). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  14. ↑ Khoroshkovsky sells Inter channel to Firtash (UPDATED), Kyiv Post (1 February 2013)
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. (English) (Russian)
    Oligarchs strengthen grip over TV. Kyiv Post (19 August 2011)
    Tax administration to check on TV channels of Inter media group, Kyiv Post (4 January 2012)
  16. ↑ Підприємства OSTCHEM нарощують виробництва. Ua.dmitryfirtash.com. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  17. ↑ Ostchem не отказывается от инвестиционных планов на 2014 год. Rccnews.ru. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  18. ↑ Рівнеазот нарощує виробництво вапняково-аміачної селітри. Ogo.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  19. ↑ Предприятия холдинга OSTCHEM продолжат работу и после окончания посевной. Rosinvest.com (14 April 2003). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  20. ↑ У Фірташа заявляють, що не зупинятимуть роботу черкаського "Азоту" та інших хімзаводів. Pro-vincia.com.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  21. ↑ "Рівнеазот" буде нарощувати виробництво селітри. Pdm.ogo.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  22. ↑ Черкаський “Азот” продовжить свою роботу. Provce.ck.ua (18 April 2014). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  23. ↑ ЗТМК в березні 2014 р. збільшив виробництво титанової губки на 8,8% – до 505 т. Gmk.rbc.ua (30 April 2014). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  24. ↑ New York businessmen sue Dmitry Firtash and Nadra Bank – World – News – Ukraine Business Online. Ukrainebusiness.com.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Ukraine billionaire accused of fraud and coercion in US lawsuit | Business New Europe. Bne.eu. 31 July 2013.
  27. ↑ Interfax. "Federation of Employers of Ukraine proposes electing Firtash as head of federation's council". Interfax.com.ua (21 November 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  28. ↑ Korrespondent.net. Top-ukraine.com (20 December 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  29. ↑ Kholin, Yuriy. CHEMISTRY OLYMPIADS IN UKRAINE. www-chemo.univer.kharkov.ua
  30. ↑ Kyivpost. "Nation suffers from lack of research, innovation". Kyivpost.com (27 August 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  31. ↑ "Government Must Turn Its face to Ukrainian Theaters, Says Dmitry Firtash". Dmitryfirtash.com. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  32. ↑ Confeu. "Dmitry Firtash will continue to allocate funds to support the Theater, Philharmonic Hall and Museum in Chernivtsi". Confeu.org (8 February 2012). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  33. ↑ Day. "Mark WILLIAMS: First of all you should sing with your heart". Day.kiev.ua (15 December 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  34. ↑ Oleshko, Olesia (24 September 2010) Firtash donates $6.7 million to Cambridge Ukrainian studies. Kyivpost.com. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  35. ↑ "Cambridgetrusts". "Cambridgetrusts". Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  36. ↑ UCEF. "Ukrainian Catholic University Accepts Pledge for New Campus". Ucef.org (27 May 2011). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  37. ↑ (Ukrainian) 24tv. "Dmitry Firtash Receives Order from Patriarch Kirill for Support in Holy Trinity Cathedral Construction". 24tv.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  38. ↑ [1]
  39. ↑ [2]
  40. ↑ Voting results for parties (blocs). Online CEC. Archive for 27/06/2013 Source. Cited 19.03.2014., Menu: → Results of voting Results of voting in the multi (for parties) → 8. "Women for the Future" All-Ukrainian Political Union
  41. ↑ In Vienna arrested a Ukrainian businessman Dmitry Firtash
  42. ↑ [3]
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Ukrainian Oligarch Dmytro Firtash: I'm Caught in the Middle of Russia and US Battleground. Ibtimes.co.uk (4 April 2014). Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  45. ↑ Ukrainian Oligarch Dmytro Firtash: I'm Caught in the Middle of Russia and US Battleground Dmytro Firtash: I am sure that all of these false allegations will be dismissed. Ibtimes.co.uk. 4 April 2014.
  46. ↑ Judge Rebuffs U.S. in Rejecting Extradition of Ukraine Billionaire, NYT by DAVID M. HERSZENHORN, APRIL 30, 2015
  47. ↑ Заявление Председателя Совета Группы компаний Group DF Дмитрия Фирташа. Youtube.com. 3 April 2014.
  48. ↑ Фірташ: я опинився в епіцентрі протистояння США і Росії. Radiosvoboda.org. 4 April 2014.
  49. ↑ Фірташ обіцяє довести свою невинність. Youtube
  50. ↑ "Я опинився в епіцентрі протистояння США і Росії", – Фірташ. Molbuk.ua. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  51. ↑ 51.0 51.1 51.2 Who is Ukrainian Gas Oligarch Dmytro Firtash?, International Business Times (March 13, 2014)
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 (Ukrainian) Two children and wife of Firtash are nationals of Russia, Ukrayinska Pravda (4 April 2016)
  53. ↑ The Guild of Cambridge Benefactors. Trinhall.cam.ac.uk. Retrieved on 30 May 2014.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

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