Joe Nelson, Consul-General and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Trade Commissioner to Việt Nam, donates fruit to children at Village Chance in HCM City’s Bình Tân District on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

HCM CITY — Seven of New Zealand’s top fruit exporters to Việt Nam have come together to donate over 500 cartons of fruit to several children’s and women’s charities in HCM City and Hà Nội this month.

The Support Centre for Inclusive Education and Development in HCM City, the Women’s Charity Association in HCM City, and non-governmental organisations Operation Smile, Blue Dragon and Maison Chance are beneficiaries of the donation.

“The New Zealand Embassy is pleased to show our support to Việt Nam by assisting New Zealand exporters to donate nutritious, fresh apples and kiwifruit – just a small way that New Zealand can help contribute to better health outcomes for the communities we are part of. It is through small gestures such as these that we can show the deep friendship between our two countries,” said Tredene Dobson, New Zealand Ambassador to Việt Nam.

Joe Nelson, Consul-General and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Trade Commissioner to Việt Nam, said, "New Zealand businesses do not want to simply sell their products to Việt Nam. They also want to be socially responsible. It is great to see these seven fruit companies contributing positively to the communities of Việt Nam by donating their healthy nutritious kiwifruit and apples."

"New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the New Zealand Consulate are proud to partner with these companies for the second year. We hope these fruit donations will become an annual event," he said.

Last year several of New Zealand’s top fruit businesses donated New Zealand apples and kiwi fruit to eight Vietnamese hospitals, staff and patients during the lockdown in HCM City.

This year’s donations are made by T&G Global, Golden Bay Fruit, Zespri International, Freshmax Exports, Mr Apple, Bostock Group and Fresh Fruit Company of New Zealand. — VNS