Regional Coconut Development Project

The Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) through the Regional Coconut Development Project hereby informs the public that stakeholder sensitization sessions will be carried out for the following standards:

1. Coconut Standards: Specification and Code of Hygienic Practice for Pre-Packaged Coconut Water.
2. Coconut Standard: Specification for Coconut Oil. 

Stakeholder sensitization sessions will subsequently be held during the following dates with the morning session commencing at 8:30 am to 12:00 noon catered for processors/packagers of natural coconut water and in the afternoon commencing at 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm for processors of coconut oil. Stakeholders are to note relevant session and one in most proximity to their establishment.

1. On September 26, 2017 at Parish Hall in Dangriga Town;
2. On September 28, 2017 at Aquaculture Conference Room, Baking Pot Road in Central Farm, Cayo District; and
3. On October 11, 2017 at La Inmaculada Credit Union Ltd in Orange Walk Town commencing at 8:30 am.

The informative sessions will allow for stakeholders to be aware of the requirements of the CARICOM Regional Coconut Standards. With the advent of the growing coconut industry in Belize, it is hoped that stakeholder interest may lead to the eventual establishment and implementation of National Coconut Standards. The sessions will ultimately strengthen knowledge and disseminate information on the standard development process and the important role that stakeholders play in the development of standards. Furthermore, the sessions will increase awareness among key stakeholders of the technical requirements for coconuts. An invitation is extended to farmers and processors of pre-packaged natural coconut water or any individual with interest or expertise in the subject matter and processors of coconut oil to attend the relevant sessions.
For further information please call our office at 822-0446 or 822-0447.