Adrian Monck, Public Engagement, Tel.: +41 79 615 16 71, Email: adrian.monck@weforum.org
· Sarik Tara, Founder of ENKA, one of Turkey's largest construction companies, receives the first award of its kind
· The award honours achievements of business leaders and statesmen who have shown commitment to improving the state of the world
· For more information about the World Economic Forum visit www.weforum.org
Istanbul, Turkey, 11 November 2016 – Sarik Tara, Founder and Honorary Chairman, Enka Construction and Industry, one of Turkey's largest construction companies, has received the first Business Statesman Award, the World Economic Forum announced today.
The award honours the achievements of business leaders and statesmen who have shown commitment to improving the state of the world.
“Sarik Tara is a recognized entrepreneur, a savvy political visionary and a well-known social philanthropist. His foundation, which provides world-class education to many young people and fosters sports, is a significant factor in stimulating society,” said Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
As an entrepreneur, Tara started one of the most successful companies in Turkey, leading it to the stature and size it enjoys today. Very early, Tara incorporated capabilities of modern management built on strong partnerships. His organization is at the forefront of the most sophisticated information technology and has become a leader in the construction industry. Through his organization, he has contributed to developing Turkey’s infrastructure. The competitiveness of ENKA has also been recognized over the years by many honours and awards.
As a political visionary, Tara is considered a catalyst in developing Turkey’s international relations and presence in the 1970s and 1980s. At the time, tensions between Turkey and Greece had reached a peak, prompting him to declare that the two countries should not be enemies. Moreover, he was actively involved in efforts that led to the signing of the Davos Declaration at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 1988, thereby contributing to the normalization of political and economic relations between the two neighbours.
After the breakup of the Soviet Union, his company delivered goods and services to Russia, which allowed him to become an important and highly respected business leader there. He has often highlighted the responsibility of the world community to create peace and stability in the region.
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