WB to Help Vinh Long Expand GlobalGAP Nam Roi Grapefruit Fields

The World Bank has pledged to assist hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollar to a project that aims to promote cultivation of Nam Roi grapefruits in line with Global Gap standards in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long. The My Hoa Nam Roi Grapefruit Cooperative in Binh Minh district will receive $300,000, with each of household getting US$2,000 to participate in the project, the Saigon Giai Phong newspaper reported. Tran Van Sang said the WB will also help My Hoa Cooperative with bureaucratic expenses, which are estimated at $8,000, they incur as they follow the procedures required to renew the Global Gap certificate for its Nam Roi grapefruits. In Sept 2008, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, SGS Vietnam, officially granted a certificate of compliance with the Global Gap Standard to Nam Roi Grapefruit of My Hoa Cooperative. However, the Global Gap certificate imposed a time-limit of one year. After that duration, the certificate has to be renewed.