Şarık Tara
Şarık Tara | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1930-04-22 Skopje, Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
| Died | 2018-06-28 |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, engineer, entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Known for | Co-founder of Enka İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. |
Şarık Tara (originally named Šarik Hadžihamzić; born 22 April 1930 – passed away 28 June 2018) was a prominent Turkish billionaire and co-founder of Enka İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. in 1957, which stands as one of the foremost construction firms in Turkey. Renowned as an international engineer, contractor, and industrial entrepreneur, he was equally noted for his philanthropic contributions.
Early years and education
Tara was born in Skopje, then part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (present-day North Macedonia), and relocated to Turkey in 1942 amid the turmoil of World War II. His father, Fevzija Hadžihamzić, was an ethnic Bosniak originating from Priboj, Serbia, while his mother, Mahmura Kumbaradži, hailed from a prosperous Macedonian Turk family in Skopje. Upon settling in Turkey, the family adopted the surname Tara, inspired by the Tara River. Due to financial constraints during his youth, Tara took on work as a translator at a textile factory while completing his education at Şişli Terakki high school.
He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from Istanbul Technical University in 1954.
Marriage and family
In 1956, Tara wed Lale Ataman. Together they had three children, along with seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Additionally, he had one son and two grandchildren from another relationship.
His eldest son, M. Sinan Tara, holds the position of Executive Chairman on ENKA's board. Meanwhile, his grandson A. Mehmet Tara serves as the company’s president and chairs its executive committee.
Business ventures
From 1954 until 1957, Tara gained experience working as a site manager before partnering with his brother-in-law, Sadi Gülçelik, to establish ENKA contracting company in 1957.
Today, Enka İnşaat ve Sanayi A.Ş. ranks among the world’s leading construction firms specializing in major infrastructure projects such as highways, tunnels, power plants, and real estate developments. The company has successfully completed 396 projects across 45 countries with a cumulative contract value reaching US$40 billion; within Turkey alone, it has executed 124 projects valued at US$7 billion.
ENKA is particularly recognized for constructing U.S. embassy buildings; during the first nine months of 2017, these contracts accounted for 36% ($887 million) of its revenue.
The conglomerate also stands as one of Turkey’s largest electricity producers, deriving over half of its approximately $3.5 billion annual revenue from energy generation activities. It leads as the foremost private electricity producer within Turkey.
Starting in 1984, Tara spearheaded ENKA’s ventures into the Soviet Union market by securing contracts in 1988 focused on renovation and construction projects in Moscow. Presently, ENKA owns multiple assets in Russia including offices, a hotel, and eleven shopping centers. Through his efforts, Tara paved the way for other Turkish enterprises to establish themselves successfully within Russia.
International engagement
Tara first participated in the World Economic Forum held at Davos in 1973 and became a consistent attendee thereafter. He emerged as an influential advocate for enhancing Turkey’s global standing throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He actively encouraged dialogue and trade between Greece and Turkey and played a crucial role during the landmark 1988 Davos meeting between Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Özal and Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou that launched official bilateral discussions. Until 2004, he chaired the Turkish-Greek Business Council and was honored with the World Economic Forum’s Business Statesman Award in 2016 for his contributions to fostering collaboration between business sectors.
Tara contributed to founding Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) in 1986, served on its executive committee, and led the Turkish-Japanese Business Council until the year 2000.
He was also an active proponent of Turkey’s accession to the European Union and championed initiatives aimed at promoting peace throughout the Balkan region.
Philanthropic Initiatives
In 1983, Şarık Tara established the 33,600m² Sadi Gülçelik Sports Complex located in Istinye, Istanbul, as a tribute to his late brother-in-law and business associate. Created to promote education, the arts, and athletic activities, Tara also founded the ENKA Foundation that same year to guarantee the complex's ongoing operation.
Educational Institutions
The ENKA Schools commenced operations in 1996. After the 1999 Adapazarı earthquake, the Adapazarı ENKA School was swiftly built and began classes within the same year, providing tuition-free education along with accommodation. In 2008, the Kocaeli ENKA Anatolian Technical and Vocational High School was inaugurated.
Cultural Contributions
Managed by the ENKA Culture Arts Foundation, several facilities within the Sadi Gülçelik Sports Complex serve as cultural hubs. These include the ENKA Eşref Denizhan Open Air Theater with a seating capacity of 1,000, the 600-seat ENKA Auditorium, and the ENKA Dr. Clinton Vickers Art Gallery, all of which host events accessible to the public.
Athletic Programs
The sports complex nurtures athletes competing at both national and international levels across disciplines such as track and field, tennis, swimming, water polo, volleyball, basketball, triathlon, and skiing. Since its inception in 1983, it has supported 1,087 licensed athletes alongside 79 professional coaches. The ENKA Sports Club featured 22 competitors in the 2016 Rio Olympics and 17 participants in the 2012 London Olympics.