Kuala lumpur: Rural youth should venture into high-value sectors and shift from merely seeking opportunities to creating them to improve their economic prospects and competitiveness, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, he said young people in rural areas must acquire skills relevant to industry needs, including problem-solving and value creation, as academic qualifications alone were no longer sufficient in a rapidly changing environment.

'I want rural youth to go as far as their ambitions take them. Learn, work and gain as much experience as possible.'

'Our responsibility as the government is to ensure that good opportunities are not concentrated only in cities, but also reach young people in rural areas wherever they may be.'

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, was speaking at the 2026 Rural Youth Convention today. Also present was his deputy, Datuk Rubiah Wang.

Ahmad Zahid also encouraged successful rural youth to pay it forward and channel the knowledge and experience they gained back into their communities.

'If you become an entrepreneur, open up markets for businesses in your hometown. If you succeed in an industry, help other young people gain access to opportunities and networks.'

'And if one day you have the capital, consider how it can create new opportunities for your own community,' he said.

Ahmad Zahid added that resolutions adopted at the Rural Youth Convention would be submitted directly to the Youth and Sports Ministry for consideration.