Bogoljub Karic: We Will Offer Price That Is Not Refused for NIS

Bogoljub Karic (BETAPHOTO/MILAN OBRADOVIC/MO)

The president of the Association of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Serbia, Bogoljub Karic, stated on May 14 that members of the Association were ready to purchase the Naftna Industrija Srbije (NIS) oil company at a price that is not refused.

Karic told BETA that it was very important for the profit of NIS to stay in Serbia and for the Pancevo refinery to continue working. “There is nothing more important for a country’s economy and stability than energy resources. Since we saw that the talks with Hungary’s MOL on the purchase of NIS have not been completed and that another company appeared as a potential buyer, we have agreed to form a consortium titled ‘Energy Tesla’ which is ready to make an offer for NIS that cannot be refused,” Karic said.

He stated that President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and the NIS company had been informed about the intention of Serbia’s industrialists. He went on to say that Putin’s office had informed them that the Serbian industrialists’ letter of intent pertaining to the purchase of NIS had been received.

“If such negotiations take place, we will certainly reach an agreement on the acquisition of NIS, because our offer will be the best. It is important that the profit of NIS remains in Serbia, for the economy and commerce to develop. Furthermore, it is very important that the refinery in Pancevo remains in operation. The energy core must be owned by Serbian entrepreneurs and the Serbian state,” he stated, adding that the “Energy Tesla” consortium would guarantee Serbia’s energy stability and that every foreign and domestic investor would be certain about the fuel price.