Bogoljub Karic
Encyclopedia
Bogoljub Karić is a businessman and politician from Serbia
.
, Kosovo
, Serbia
, FPR Yugoslavia, to Janićije Karić and Danica Kuzmanović. He earned a degree in Geography
from Prirodno-matematički fakultet in Priština
and his Master's Degree
in economy
at University of Niš
, degree's he is said to have paid for. He married Milanka Babić and has four children.
The Astra (BK) Group is composed of the following industry sectors:
In 2002, Karić created the Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Yugoslavia, the first true association of private businessmen in Yugoslavia set up since World War II
.
The philosophies that Karić expresses in these meetings are based on the need for development of relationship between people irrespective of ethnic origin, protection of human rights as foundation for democracy and economic development of all countries around the world. He is also actively promoting the democratic processes in Yugoslavia and for the integration of Yugoslavia, or Serbia and Montenegro, as the new state union is now called, in the European integrations, as well as other international organizations and institutions.
The goals of these activities are to turn the Balkans, i.e. the South East Europe region into a prosperous region of Europe, and the prerequisites are, according to Karić, to ensure the dominant role of economy and economic cooperation, that are the sole factors that can counter nationalistic policies and confrontation. It is with that goal in mind that Karić and his companies have started many programs of cooperation with Kosovo and all other regions of Serbia with ethnically mixed population, as well as intensive contacts with neighbours, such as Albania
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
, Croatia
, and Macedonia
.
Karić ran for President of Serbia
in the June 2004 Presidential Election, polling nearly 20% of the vote. His message was on the supremacy of economy over politics, the need to fundamentally transform Serbian society into a modern European democracy and revitalise its economy.
Karić subsequently formed and registered his political party Strength of Serbia Movement (SSM) which participated in the local elections of September 2004. At these elections, the SSM, although formed barely a month before the elections, had a surprisingly good showing, establishing itself firmly in the center of the democratic bloc of political forces in Serbia. Its representatives, in coalition with other democratic forces are part of many municipal councils (including that of the capital Belgrade
), and it has several deputies and ministers in the Provincial Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina
.
As new law on political parties became valid, Strength of Serbia Movement re-registered itself again in 2010 under the name Strength of Serbia Movement - BK. At this moment, SSM is in coalition with Tomislav Nikolic's party, forming an opposition bloc for the next elections.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
.
Early life
Bogoljub Karić was born on January 17, 1954 in PećPec
Peć or Pejë is a city and municipality in north-western Kosovo and Metohija - Serbia, and the administrative centre of the homonymous district. Governor of city is Ali Berisha....
, Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, FPR Yugoslavia, to Janićije Karić and Danica Kuzmanović. He earned a degree in Geography
Geography
Geography is the science that studies the lands, features, inhabitants, and phenomena of Earth. A literal translation would be "to describe or write about the Earth". The first person to use the word "geography" was Eratosthenes...
from Prirodno-matematički fakultet in Priština
Pristina
Pristina, also spelled Prishtina and Priština is the capital and largest city of Kosovo. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous municipality and district....
and his Master's Degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in economy
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
at University of Niš
University of Niš
The University of Niš is a university located in Niš, Serbia. It was founded in 1965 and it consists of 13 faculties with 1500 teachers, 630 staff and extracurricular staff, and around 30,000 students...
, degree's he is said to have paid for. He married Milanka Babić and has four children.
Career
According to own statements, the Karić family had owned manufacturing business in Eastern Europe for over 40 years, but had waned in the mid-20th century. The population knows him simply as a mechanic from Kosovo who had eben no high school degree. Karić opened a workshop, starting with small operations of under ten employees. From this, Karić grew his business empire in to multi-billion dollar corporation, now known as the Astra Group.The Astra (BK) Group is composed of the following industry sectors:
- manufacturing, civil engineering and constructing
- International wholesales export-import trading
- Telecommunications and electronic media (GSM and NMT mobile telephony, internet services, alphanumeric paging)
- Banking and finance
- Media which includes television, radio, magazines, newspapers and online
- Science and education Karić is the founder and owner of BK University.
- Charitable activities The BK Foundation funds humanitarian aid in Yugoslavia and other countries. It is focused on helping children, refugees and provides scholarships for disadvantaged and talented students. The activities of the Foundation are also centered on the promotion of cultural values.
In 2002, Karić created the Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Yugoslavia, the first true association of private businessmen in Yugoslavia set up since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Education and science work
Karić has been a visiting professor in several faculties he run in the country and abroad. Many of these lectures are published in various magazines he owned. He is author of many books which focus on private business, finance, and financial management which were written by bachelor and master students at his own universities.Political and social activities
Karić is very active in domestic and international social and political circles. By his own view, he has a strong reputation in the highest political institutions worldwide and has met with many Heads of State, Presidents, Senators, influential businessmen of the worlds most significant companies, media, humanitarian and other non-government organizations and institutions.The philosophies that Karić expresses in these meetings are based on the need for development of relationship between people irrespective of ethnic origin, protection of human rights as foundation for democracy and economic development of all countries around the world. He is also actively promoting the democratic processes in Yugoslavia and for the integration of Yugoslavia, or Serbia and Montenegro, as the new state union is now called, in the European integrations, as well as other international organizations and institutions.
The goals of these activities are to turn the Balkans, i.e. the South East Europe region into a prosperous region of Europe, and the prerequisites are, according to Karić, to ensure the dominant role of economy and economic cooperation, that are the sole factors that can counter nationalistic policies and confrontation. It is with that goal in mind that Karić and his companies have started many programs of cooperation with Kosovo and all other regions of Serbia with ethnically mixed population, as well as intensive contacts with neighbours, such as Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, and Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
.
Karić ran for President of Serbia
President of Serbia
The President of Serbia is the head of state of Serbia. Presently serving as the head of state is Boris Tadić. He was elected with a narrow majority of 50.31% in the 2008 Serbian presidential elections.-Authority, legal and constitutional rights:...
in the June 2004 Presidential Election, polling nearly 20% of the vote. His message was on the supremacy of economy over politics, the need to fundamentally transform Serbian society into a modern European democracy and revitalise its economy.
Karić subsequently formed and registered his political party Strength of Serbia Movement (SSM) which participated in the local elections of September 2004. At these elections, the SSM, although formed barely a month before the elections, had a surprisingly good showing, establishing itself firmly in the center of the democratic bloc of political forces in Serbia. Its representatives, in coalition with other democratic forces are part of many municipal councils (including that of the capital Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
), and it has several deputies and ministers in the Provincial Government of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina
Vojvodina
Vojvodina, officially called Autonomous Province of Vojvodina is an autonomous province of Serbia. Its capital and largest city is Novi Sad...
.
As new law on political parties became valid, Strength of Serbia Movement re-registered itself again in 2010 under the name Strength of Serbia Movement - BK. At this moment, SSM is in coalition with Tomislav Nikolic's party, forming an opposition bloc for the next elections.