Let's Go Local: Bram Peters’ Hot Spots: Café Noir, Amanzi Wai Lodge
Mr Peters’ career background is primarily in banking and microfinance. After graduating from university, he worked as a volunteer in Bangladesh, with a microfinance organisation. Mr Peters then worked in the digital payments business for banks in The Netherlands and Belgium.
Friday 17 December 2021 | 09:20
The Amanzi Wai Lodge beach front and Bram Peters enjoying a holiday in Fiji.
Back when he had hair, Bram Peters painted his hair blue, and pierced an eyebrow.
It’s one of the things not many know about the United Nations Capital Development Fund programme manager – DFS4Resilience and regional manager – Pacific (acting).
He is now posted in Belgium, after serving a stint in Fiji.
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Mr Peters’ career background is primarily in banking and microfinance.
After graduating from university, he worked as a volunteer in Bangladesh, with a microfinance organisation.
Mr Peters then worked in the digital payments business for banks in The Netherlands and Belgium.
“Here, one colleague from ING Bank moved to PNG to work for BSP,” he said.
“He contacted me one day as he was looking for a specialist in digital channels, such as ATMs, EFTPOS, mobile and online banking."
“That is when I decided to move with the whole family to Papua New Guinea, and I worked for BSP for almost three years.”
The years he spent with BSP in PNG were a great experience for him, as the bank invested heavily in digital banking.
“We introduced a lot of new products and services that were unique to the market at that time,” Mr Peters said.
He then moved to Africa, where he worked for a major microfinance bank.
Later, he joined the United Nations, which allowed him to return to the Pacific again.
That was at a time when UNCDF was looking for a new programme manager for the Pacific Financial Inclusion Programme (PFIP), to be based out of Suva.
“I never regret the move to go back to the Pacific in 2018,” Mr Peters said.
“What started for me with the PFIP, has evolved into many new programmes and initiatives that we have started during the last few years.”
Mixing South African High-End Safari Tents with traditional Fiji Bures make up the camp . We have chosen to use what fits best to the ecosystem and the people and culture of Fiji. Source: https://oceansouldiers.com/amanzi-wai-lodge/
What Is One Place In Fiji On Your Bucket List?
Rotuma would definitely be on the list.
I would also like to visit Wayasewa Island.
I don’t like places that are too touristy.
The Yasawas are already quite touristy.
However, there are a few homestays there that I would like to try.
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj
