Kathmandu, September 14 A three-day agro trade and investment exhibition and conference 2017 started here today to support the value chain of agro products and call for introduction of appropriate policies to support agro businesses. Inaugurating the expo, Secretary at the Ministry of Agricultural Development, Suroj Pokhrel said anchoring programmes implemented by the government, the private sector, cooperatives and development agencies was vital to spur growth in agriculture, as per a media release. Director of International Labour Oganisation (ILO) Country Office for Nepal, Richard Howard said job creation should be the foundation for any development initiative and called on need to address the skills gap that prevails. “Rights cannot be forced if jobs don’t exist, so ILO is here to support the government and organisations of workers and employers to create an enabling environment for jobs creation. It is why ILO is advocating for rights and good corporate governance through UNNATI-Inclusive Growth Programme in Nepal,” he has been quoted as saying in the release. Emphasising the need to realise jobs available in the present and the future market, the ILO Director for Nepal said, “We need to understand why many people migrate when businesses, industries and agriculture face challenges in getting the skilled workers they need.” Bijendra Rajkarnicar of House of Rajkarnicar said the exhibition has been put up to encourage increased investment in agriculture. The exhibition has over 50 stalls showcasing high-value agro products and technologies linked to orthodox tea, ginger products, cardamom, dairy, honey and other organic agro products.