{"id":148292,"date":"2019-07-03T06:00:15","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T11:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ict-pulse.com\/?p=148292"},"modified":"2019-07-03T06:00:54","modified_gmt":"2019-07-03T11:00:54","slug":"ictp-062-neighbours-suriname-vincentius-kenswil-anuskha-sonai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2019\/07\/ictp-062-neighbours-suriname-vincentius-kenswil-anuskha-sonai\/","title":{"rendered":"ICTP 062:  Know your neighbours \u2013 Suriname, with Vincentius Kenswil and Anuskha Sonai"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>The Dutch-speaking country of Suriname is a full member of many regional organisations in the Caribbean, but generally, very little is known about it. In this the second instalment of our <\/em><em>Know your neighbours series, Vincentius Kenswil and Anuskha Sonai, of the Digital Talents Academy In Suriname, help us to have a better understanding of Suriname generally, and of course, from an ICT perspective.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/w.soundcloud.com\/player\/?url=https%3A\/\/api.soundcloud.com\/tracks\/645496245&amp;color=%23ff5500&amp;auto_play=false&amp;hide_related=false&amp;show_comments=false&amp;show_user=true&amp;show_reposts=false&amp;show_teaser=false\" width=\"100%\" height=\"166\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><strong>This episode is also available in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/itunes.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast\/id1373550291\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Apple iTunes<\/a>\u00a0and on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.stitcher.com\/podcast\/ict-pulse-podcast?refid=stpr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Stitcher<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although the Caribbean region is made up of several countries, frequently, it is considered a homogenous space. That is not the case. Besides differences in culture and language, there are nuances and idiosyncrasies even among countries that have close similarities, which ought to be appreciated.<\/p>\n<p>Following from our recent conversation, <strong><em><a href=\"http:\/\/bit.ly\/2EPQD1i\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ICTP 058:\u00a0 Exploring the Guadeloupe\u2019s ICT\/tech space, with Betty Fausta of Guadeloupetech<\/a><\/em><\/strong>, we are introducing a new series called \u2018Know your neighbours\u2019, with the purpose is of helping us better understand our sister countries in the Caribbean region, generally, and of course, from an ICT perspective. Today, our focus is on Suriname.<\/p>\n<p>Suriname is considered part of the Dutch Caribbean, and is located in South America between Guyana and French Guyana. Although a former Dutch colony, Suriname is a full member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and so enjoys the benefits of trade, foreign policy harmonisation, technical policy development and coordination, to name a few.<\/p>\n<p>Like virtually all countries in South America, Suriname is resource-rich, like gold, oil and bauxite. However, its economic development does appear to be as robust of other countries in Latin America and The Caribbean \u2013 in terms of metrics such as Gross Domestic Product, Gross National Income, and even those frequently referenced for telecommunications and ICT.<\/p>\n<p>Our guests today are both based in Suriname, and have numerous ICT-related achievements between them.\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vincentiusrkenswil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vincentius (Vincent) Kenswil<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/anuskhasonai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anuskha Sonai<\/a>, are Co-Founders of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltalents.academy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digital Talents Academy<\/a>, a training institution that focuses on developing the technological and soft skills in today\u2019s professionals.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-148295\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai-1-1024x544.png?resize=640%2C340&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"340\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-attachment-id=\"148299\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/2019\/07\/ictp-062-neighbours-suriname-vincentius-kenswil-anuskha-sonai\/vincentius-kenswil-and-anuskha-sonai\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?fit=1264%2C672&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1264,672\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Vincentius Kenswil and Anuskha Sonai V (Kenswil, A Sonai)\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?fit=300%2C159&amp;ssl=1\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?fit=1024%2C544&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-148299\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fgd.dfv.mybluehost.me\/.website_c81a1e61\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?resize=760%2C404&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?w=1264&amp;ssl=1 1264w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?resize=300%2C159&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?resize=768%2C408&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?resize=1024%2C544&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Vincentius-Kenswil-and-Anuskha-Sonai.png?resize=1080%2C574&amp;ssl=1 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Vincent is an architect by training, but he has been a long-time champion of ICT in Suriname, both through private businesses, and through special interest groups, such as the ICT Association of Suriname. Anuskha\u2019s background is Electrical Engineering, and in addition to the Digital Talents Academy, she is also the Chief Executive Officer for <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spangmakandra.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spang Makandra N.V.<\/a>, a digital marketing agency located in Suriname.<\/p>\n<p>During our discussion with Vincent and Anuskha, we covered several topics, including the following:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>A quick overview of the Suriname<\/li>\n<li>An overview of telecommunications and ICT, how developed is it in Suriname<\/li>\n<li>Is telecommunications and ICT services affordable in Suriname? How is the quality of broadband service?<\/li>\n<li>What is Vincent\u2019s and Anuskha\u2019s background and their entrepreneurial journey?<\/li>\n<li>What is it like being an entrepreneur in Suriname ? How is the country\u2019s start-up environment\/ start-up culture?<\/li>\n<li>If someone outside Suriname wants to do business in Suriname, what key steps would Vincent and Anuskha recommend?<\/li>\n<li>What might be some of the idiosyncrasies of Suriname, and doing business in Suriname, that a foreigner might need to grapple with?<\/li>\n<li>What are some of the tech-related or tech business related-trends in the Suriname, or wider Dutch Caribbean, business community?<\/li>\n<li>What are some of the strengths of the ICT\/tech space in Suriname?<\/li>\n<li>What are some of the challenges Suriname might have to be addressed to improve ICT there?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>We would love to hear from you!<\/p>\n<p>Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTPulse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a><\/strong> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/ict-pulse-consulting-limited\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>LinkedIn<\/strong><\/a> pages, or via Twitter, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ICTPulse\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ICTPulse<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>Select links<\/h3>\n<p>Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that either were mentioned during the episode, or otherwise, might be useful:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/vincentiusrkenswil\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vincentius Roue Kenswil<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/anuskhasonai\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Anuskha Varsha Sonai<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitaltalents.academy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digital Talents Academy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.caricom.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Caribbean Community (CARICOM)<\/a><\/u><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spangmakandra.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Spang Makandra N.V.<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ictassociatie.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ICT Association Suriname<\/a> |\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ICTAssociatie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Facebook<\/a><\/li>\n<li>World Bank &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doingbusiness.org\/en\/data\/exploreeconomies\/suriname\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ease of Doing Business in Suriname<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ictassociatie.com\/download\/ict-vision-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ICT Vision 2020 Suriname<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/kartabasi.sr\/digital-impact-suriname-2019\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Digital Impact Suriname 2019 \u2013 Kartabasi<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Image credits:\u00a0 Public_Domain_Photography (<a href=\"http:\/\/pixabay.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pixabay<\/a>);\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/-jvl-\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">JvL<\/a> (flickr);\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.panoramio.com\/user\/5079856?with_photo_id=42609476\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">dennis22photos<\/a> (Wikipedia Commons);\u00a0 <a title=\"User:Mark Ahsmann\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Mark_Ahsmann\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Ahsmann<\/a> (Wikipedia Commons);\u00a0 V Kenswil;\u00a0 A Sonai<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Music credit:\u00a0 Ray Holman<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Dutch-speaking country of Suriname is a full member of many regional organisations in the Caribbean, but generally, very little is known about it. In this the second instalment of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":148298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[355],"tags":[71,205,281,357,15],"class_list":["post-148292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-podcast","tag-businesses","tag-entrepreneurship-2","tag-internet","tag-interviews","tag-trends","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/Suriname-Collage-1.png?fit=1024%2C721&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2iE1G-CzO","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148292"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148304,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148292\/revisions\/148304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ict-pulse.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}