Nebojša Ćirić, State Secretary within Ministry of Economy and Regional Development – mistakes are not made only by those who don’t work

Nebojša Ćirić, the State Secretary within the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, in charge of privatization and economy, became known to the public when he started promoting the Law on free stocks, for which about 5m citizens applied. The journalists have cited him thousands of times.

He says that, in spite of this global crisis, the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development does not give up its estimates that these free stocks will bring about 1,000 EUR to each citizen.

Speaking of the privatization of the remaining companies, he points out that, according to the Law, privatization of the companies must be finished by the end of the year, that is, prior to December 31st, when the public invitations for all remaining public companies will be announced.

Ćirić points out that he is completely aware of the obligations and responsibilities that his job brings.

- Mistakes are not made only by those who don’t work. There are companies whose privatization was not very successful, but the major number of companies went through the transition period successfully and they now register excellent results. Every move, that is, every decision, has its pros and cons, but what is always the most important is that there are more positive than negative elements – Ćirić explained.

Nebojša Ćirić has recently come in the focus of local public, after he was appointed as the Head of the new team of the Government of Serbia for negotiations with Gazprom. Concerning the fact that that agreement with Russian Federation was presented as the greatest development project for the state in next 50 years, Ćirić was "pushed" directly into future "economy textbooks".

He participated in another project of strategic importance to our country – the deal with company "Fiat".

- That is the new beginning, not only for "Zastava" and Kragujevac, but also for entire Serbia.

Judging by promises and rhetoric, we can say that Ćirić is the genuine politician, but he points out that he is not a member of any party, that is, he entered the Ministry as a non-party person.

He was born in Bor. His father was born in south Serbia, while his mother is from Golubac on the Danube. Ćirić’s parents met each other during their studies in Belgrade and they started their careers in Mining Smelter Basin "Bor". Ćirić points out that he, as the only son, enjoyed his mom’s great privileges, while his dad’s slogan was - "Order, work and discipline".

- And now I am dealing with privatization of Mining Smelter Basin (RTB) "Bor", which is exceptionally important for the survival of people in that region. I got emotionally connected to that process. I hope that this third attempt will be successful. We announced Public invitation for selection of strategic partner. The interest has been expressed by several foreign giants. My fellow citizens believe that I will do my best to make it possible for 5,000 employees and their families to get the chance to stay in that town.

When he was 12 he moved to Belgrade and graduated from Mathematical School Mihajlo Petrović – Alas. Then he moved to London and graduated from London School of Economics and Political Science.

- I returned to Belgrade in 1996. I have never had a wish to stay in London.

He got his first job at the University of Braća Karić where he worked as an assistant for macroeconomics. He later worked in marketing company "Ogilvy & Mather". His career continued in the Economy Institute and then in "Deloitte & Touche".

- I was the Manager of the Consulting Sector and I dealt with privatizations. I worked for big local and foreign clients. Because of that job, I lived in Banjaluka, Macedonia, Czech Republic...

He got the position of the Assistant to the Minister of Privatization within the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development and he became the State Secretary within that Ministry in 2008.

He says he has never been afraid of challenges of the new job.

- My job is very dynamic, even more intensive than the work in some private company. I work much more than before, I attend large number of meetings, the meetings with investors, trade unions, as well as the meetings that should attract potential investors in the economy of our country. Of course, the media relations are an inevitable part of my job.

One of the privileges of the government job is business automobile, but Nebojša Ćirić points out that he prefers motorcycles.

Instead of sitting in the back seat and letting the steering wheel to the driver, he prefers riding his Piaggio Beverly Cruiser 500.

He also enjoys one type of sport that is not very popular in our country. It is the English game of snooker, which is very similar to billiard.

- There used to be a club in the Youth Center where I played snooker with my friends, but, unfortunately, that club has been closed. However, we have found a new location now, so we are still enjoying this interesting game. I also play basketball and football when I find time. Also, as a Red Star fan, I try not to miss any important match.

When asked what the best Serbian export brand was, he answered Red Star. He admits that his favorite club is currently in crisis, but he also believes that this situation, just like the crisis, is only temporary.

Like most men, he admits that he is only weak when facing his wife who he met at the Economy Institute.

- The life is beautiful when business and family aspects are equally present, when they intertwine and supplement each other. My wife is a great listener. Also, we are very close professionally… – says Ćirić.