LAHORE - Punjab Minister for Food Malik Nadeem Kamran has assured the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry that all issues related to taxation, law and order, environmental hazards and treatment plants to cope with industrial waste would be given priority. The minister was speaking on Friday at inaugural ceremony of three-day LCCI Digital Mela being held at the Alhamra Art Gallery. LCCI President Mohammad Ali Mian, Senior Vice President Mian Muzaffar Ali, Vice President Shafqat Saeed Piracha, Chairman Standing Committee on Event Management Sheikh Mohamad Arshad and Chairman Standing Committee Digital Imaging and Photo Industry Nasir Saeed also spoke on the occasion. The minister said that maximum facilities would be provided to private sector which is backbone of the economy. Kamran, who looked very impressed by photo mela arrangements and a huge participation by the people belonging to all walks of life, said that present government is committed to solve the genuine problems of business community like professional tax charged by provincial and local governments. He was of the view that there is a dire need to educate public and private sectors on environmental issues, as developed countries of the world are restricting imports from those countries that are not complying with international standards. He said that the LCCI proposals would be given proper consideration while formulating new business-related policies. LCCI President said that sole object of holding this photo mela was to highlight the potential of the country in this particular area which is of prime importance but was never given due attention. Mian said that the total volume of photographic equipment industry is $371 billion dollars with a huge potential for investment and the industry requires proper government patronage. LCCI President said that Pakistan has no dearth of talent but it is suffering only because of non-implementation of policies, the government should ensure implementation of policies. Mian said that the government should take special measure to check fast going up prices of the daily use items by evolving welfare-oriented policies. LCCI President also invited the attention of the Provincial Minister towards the fast widening gap between the demand and supply of electricity saying that shortage of power is not only hitting the industrial sector hard but also affecting the overall economic activity in the country. He said urged the government to adopt alternate energy resource. "We have the best canal system in the world and power could be generated by building small projects on these canals. "We have a very brighter sun through which solar energy could be produced, this would not only curtail our import bill but it would also bring down the cost of doing business in the country," he explained. Coming back to photo mela, the LCCI President said that exhibitions are a prerequisite to increase international trade besides highlighting the soft image of the country. He said that the LCCI was striving to promote business and trade activities in the country and for the purpose it was utilizing all the available resources.