bahrainthismonth.com | NOVEMBER 2025 INTERVIEW 8 Ms. Dawani did not so much find the role of Honorary Consul as it found her. She recalls being encouraged by predecessors and diplomats to consider the position, and from the outset she embraced its purpose: “I was approached by Jaap Vaandrager, my predecessor and the ex-Dutch Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Kuwait, HE Frans Potuyt,” she explains. “I expressed my keenness to take up the role as Honorary Consul, as it would be my first official position and role that I would have enabling me able to serve and assist the community whether it be with respect to Dutch nationals, Bahrainis or otherwise. The remit is practical and peoplecentred, spanning assistance for tourist and work related visas, new-borns, investments opportunity enquiries into Bahrain and vice versa. “We try from the consular office perspective to provide the best, most efficient service within our capacity bearing in mind we are guided strictly by procedural protocol and in guidance with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kuwait.” The honour of public trust is not lost on her either. “I feel honoured that His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has granted me a second term as Honorary Dutch Consul to the Kingdom,” she says proudly. Bridging Kingdoms Two Bahrain’s Honorary Consul of the Netherlands, Zeenat Abdulhusain Dawani, discusses service, family balance and partnerships between the two countries, drawing on a bicultural upbringing and a pragmatic approach to community support today.
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