KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 — Malaysia will leverage Asean’s role in strengthening rural development through more comprehensive and integrated regional planning, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said as Asean Chair this year, Malaysia will focus on key areas such as digitalisation, increasing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and empowering rural women to ensure the economic benefits are enjoyed by all levels of society, including those living in rural and remote areas.