The Conference of the Regional Union of Commodity Manufacturers and Employers took place in Saratov on December 17. The Conference was attended by representatives of the “Interregional Distribution Grid Company of Volga,” (IDGC of Volga, JSC). The Conference discussed the preliminary results of social and economic development of the region in 2009 and the tasks of the Union for 2010. The participants adopted a number of decisions regarding support of small and mid-sized business, continued interaction between the business community and the authorities, measures of developing social responsibility of business, and organizational measures. Vladimir Ryabikin, General Director of IDGC of Volga, JSC was unanimously elected to serve on the Coordination Council of the Union of Commodity Manufacturers and Employers. IDGC of Volga, JSC is one of the largest enterprises in Privolzhsky Federal District. The Company specializes in transfer of energy and provides technological access to distribution grids. IDGC of Volga, JSC is a socially responsible company, which provides safe and reliable power supply to residents and enterprises of seven regions of the Privolzhsky Federal District. Despite the difficulties of the crisis period the Company has not laid off workers and retained the social package for its 21,000 employees across all regional branches.