Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar
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  • Port of Spain
  • Trinidad and Tobago
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Hi Penny: sorry for the late response. IMHO the main driver will be Purchase Ordering Policy that is developed by corporations following the policy - and it should be noted that the criteria for abiding by the standards as guidelines are fairly acad…
March 2
February 4
January 29
January 29
I have been on Royal Caribbean and stopped at Labadee, Hatti several times. It is at the north side of Haiti, far from the devastation of the earthquake. There are many Haitians who make their living working at and selling goods at Labadee. Does it…
January 25
I absolutely think that Royal Caribbean should continue to visit Haiti. To pull out now would be mean-spirited and the business is really important to the local economy. However, cruise ships in general are notorious polluters and energy wasters. M…
January 24
Definitely! If my memory serves me, RC docks on a separate island that is not obviously branded as part of Haiti. Nevertheless the service industry jobs add value and enable livelihoods for locals. It contributes to the economic recovery of the coun…
January 23
Ronald, your question about many years of supposed economic benefit in Haiti also applies to the many other forms of "aid" that have been provided to Haiti. Many of the humanitarian groups have been there for decades, some since 1954, to very little…
January 22
Cruise ships spend very little money on land. In the Netherlands alone we collected yesterdayalready € 83 Million that is going to be well spend. While any money is welcome, I find it perverse and obscene to anchor off shore (no docking possible) an…
January 22
To some extent, the question is moot since the US Coast Guard surveyed the port facilities and declared them to be unusable. Accordingly a cruise ship couldn't dock even if it wanted to. If the port were repaired so ships could dock, priority would…
January 22
Given the magnitude of the disaster, the state of the infrastructure and the needs of the communities in Haiti I feel it is innappropriate at present. If Royal Caribbean can dock a cruse ship it must have resources to share in the rescue and relief…
January 22
The cruise ships could be used much better for food and water delivery and production in Haiti. These large cruise ships also have medical clinics on board. I would be embarrassed to be a tourist in Haiti right now. The main port has been destroyed,…
January 22
That's an interesting topic, and funny enough I was just part of a conversation regarding that the other day. From the information that I was told, the location where Royal Caribbean is docked is actually an area that is not affected by the quake an…
January 21
Royal Caribbean should dock and help contribute in stimulating the haitian economy through the tourists' activities.
January 21
A discussion started by Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar was featured
Should Royal Caribbean continue to dock in Haiti at this present time? Is it a case of economic contribution, or bad business practice? Let me know your thoughts. Regards, Astrid Franchiska
January 20
Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar added a discussion
Should Royal Caribbean continue to dock in Haiti at this present time? Is it a case of economic contribution, or bad business practice? Let me know your thoughts. Regards, Astrid Franchiska
January 19

Profile Information

What is your Interest?
Corporate Responsibility, Sustainable Development, Microfinance
Represent:
Company, Individual
Name of Company / Organization:
Triumph International dba Triumph Resources Inc.
What would you most like to get out of this network?
Networking, Share Best Practices, Potential Partners, Career Opportunities, Potential Investors
What is your current job / title or what field are you studying?
Advisor/Investor Relations
What knowledge, skills and experience do you have that you would be happy for people to contact you over?
Sustainable infrastructure, sustainable development, CSR, project finance, Venture Capital, investing and development with special emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean.
What else would you like to say about yourself?
Ms. Astrid F. Kowlessar is a professional who has a passion for development via investment in financial and sustainable infrastructure. She specializes in risk management, project financing, project networking, corporate social responsibility training initiatives for business continuity, with emphasis on the Caribbean and Latin America.

Ms. Kowlessar, via Triumph International, served on the Programs & Events Committee of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM), and on the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the South Trinidad Chamber of Industry and Commerce (STCIC). The STCIC CSR team is currently geared to be the premier voice of corporate governance within Trinidad and the greater Caribbean through training and education. Ms. Kowlessar is also a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of Trinidad & Tobago (CFASTT), and recently became introduced to the newly launched Caribbean Investor Network.

Ms. Kowlessar is avidly passionate about self-improvement and the Law of Attraction. Specifically, she follows (and sometimes adheres to) the advice and instruction of Napoleon Hill. She is always keen on attracting like minds to collaborate, communicate and create.
Website Address
http://www.mytriumph.net

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar's Blog

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

THE SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MODEL: New Theory and Implementation

As we observe the global fallout of our economic crisis, the question begs – where did the due diligence and strategic planning process get lost in our organization and corporate core processes? Within every organization, at least one status meeting is held, whether at Board or Supervisory level. Therefore, if each organization in or global corporate chain can boast of progress and planning meetings, how could entire corporations then crumble before our very eyes?

Short term, profit driven plan… Continue

Posted on January 7, 2010 at 9:12pm — 1 Comment

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

International Financial Centers and the Financial Crisis: could a development approach allow sustainability?

Trinidad & Tobago is currently gearing to become the Caribbean’s top International Financial Centre (TTIFC). According to the Oliver Wyman August 2007 report, which recommends Trinidad as ripe for this opportunity, three types of financial services are to be focused on:

1. Capital Markets – where Trinidad & Tobago is currently the CARICOM leader in debt capital markets.
2. Credit Card Collections Centre.
3. Middle/back-office – Trinidad & Tobago’s local banks and insurance companies… Continue

Posted on September 16, 2009 at 10:32am — 4 Comments

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: Debunking the myth and mystery.

There are certain business phrases and adjectives that conjure very specific meanings…strategic planning, supply chain management, auditing, risk assessment…the list goes on.

And then there is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). What is it, really?

Via attendance of the V Summit of the Americas regional Civil Society Forum held in October 2008, we learned from many grassroots organizations the trials and tribulations of dealing with the public and private sectors. At the end of this two-day… Continue

Posted on September 13, 2009 at 1:44am —

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

FINANCE LEASING INDUSTRY CREATION IN THE CARIBBEAN

In Business Guardian’s January 8th 2009 issue, CEO Johnathan Adams of Trinidad’s Small Enterprising Business Association estimated a decrease in national Small Micro Enterprise (SME) activities by 60% for 2009 and beyond. It is noteworthy that Trinidad & Tobago is considered a high income country having comparatively more resources than other smaller nation states to support the SME sector. This gives clear indication as to the more dire expectations for the smaller OECS countries for SME gr… Continue

Posted on August 16, 2009 at 11:28pm — 4 Comments

Astrid Franchiska Kowlessar

Trinidad - is sustainable infrastructure controlled by cultural mindset?

A friend from the US Information Services of Trinidad & Tobago sent photos of Colonial Trinidad via e-mail, two of which I've shared below with a modern juxtaposition. While the photos bring back nostalgia and patriotism, they also bring to my mind questions on sustainable infrastructure and the cultural aspects of such, in Port-of-Spain.

I have heard my elderly relatives say they wish Colonialism never ended in Trinidad. I would of course scoff at this (and still do), but now I understand… Continue

Posted on July 30, 2009 at 11:39am —

Comment Wall (9 comments)

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At 4:06am on January 29, 2010, Abhishek Pandya said…
Hi Astrid,
Thanks for sending friend request and knowing through DC. Please keep in touch and the experiences.
At 11:50am on December 30, 2009, Amrit Neku said…
Hei,

Wonderful to know you through DCrossing. Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2010. Keep in touch if you have good things/experiences to share.
At 8:08am on October 13, 2009, Daniel ozoukou said…
Hi Astrid:
It's wonderful to met you that social network, I would to keep in touch for communication and ideas sharing. I believe that we have many to share regarding your experiences and passion.
I hope to hear from soon.
please email me : ozoukoud@yahoo.fr
call +225 02733562
Abidjan cote d'Ivoire
At 9:29am on October 5, 2009, GreenTV said…
Please keep me in the loop as I am looking for ideas to make GreenTV better and would consider partnering with like in mind..
At 11:14pm on September 23, 2009, Aimo Berg said…
Thanks for your great posts.
At 2:51am on September 4, 2009, SUSANTA BISWAS said…
Hi Astrid... thank you for adding me as your friend and showing interest on my documentaries.... at present I'm working with a documentary project on a tribal fair...
hope to have creative interactions with you on sustainable development.

Regards
At 6:22am on August 18, 2009, institute for self development said…
ms.kowlessar. praise the lord.my name is sebastiansusairaj.i like your friendship
At 8:34am on August 8, 2009, Fermin Rivas said…
Is cultivation of Bamboo sustainable? Anything that is cultivated and planted is sustainable economically depending on the cultural management of an individual or farmer, organization or corporation. For a small farmer, it may not be so big but at least it can sustain the needs of the family.

Bamboo, depending on variety planted, ex. Laak (Sphaerobambos philippinensis), when matured could be harvested after planting three to five years and every year thereafter. The average culms (erect poles) per clump are 40. Farmer, when harvesting, should cut only the matured one. In every culm or erect pole cut, two bamboo shoots or followers grow. The farmer should also practice pruning or elimination of excess bamboo shoots so as not to overcrowd the number of culms per clump. Bamboo shoots are added income for the farmer. It is food on the table and can be sold as a delicacy.

For a small farmer, waiting years before harvest is a pain in the pocket. The family have to eat and children be sent to school. So the best practice is integrated farming. While waiting for the bamboo to be harvested, cash crop (tubers, vegetables, corn, ginger, etc.) are also planted.

Bamboos have so many uses especially on the protection of environment. If planted along river banks, it can serve as a flood and soil erosion control. Bamboos growth characteristics enable it to spread rapidly and have the ability to improve soil condition in degraded and eroded areas of land. In China, they were able to develop bamboo cloth by extracting its fibre and are producing commercially. Further reference about bamboo, please see http//www.inbar.int.
At 10:59am on August 5, 2009, Fermin Rivas said…
Thank you for inviting me. You have a very interesting topic " Breakthrough in Plastic Decomposition and Bamboo for Sustainable Development. Here in the Philippines, particularly Southern Mindanao, bamboos are planted for furniture, construction, fence, pole and banana propping purposes. The biggest volume requirement are for bamboo propping, with an annual demand from banana plantations of over 12 million props, the market opportunity justified full-out expansion of cultivated bamboo.

Among common bamboo [kawayan] species of the Philippines are:
1) Laak, (Sphaerobambos philippinensis),
2) Kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumena),
3) Kawayan tiling (Vulgaris),
4) Botong or patong (Dendrocalamus latiflorus),
5) Bolo (Gigantochloa levis),
6) Kayali (Gigantochloa atter)

Commonly used propping material for banana are Laak (Sphaerobambos philippinensis), and kawayan tinik (Bambusa blumena).
 
 

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