SINGAPORE, Aug. 27 -- Singapore plans to use its Asean chairmanship next year to pursue stronger links between South-east Asia and Central Asia in areas such as transport, energy, connectivity and sustainable development.

The Straits Times reported Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as saying this yesterday during a visit to Kazakhstan, where he received the country's Order of Dostyk, or Friendship, of the First Class.

"As Asean Chair next year, Singapore looks forward to creating more opportunities for Asean to engage partners beyond our traditional networks," Lee was quoted as saying.

The regional push coincided with two agreements aimed at expanding cooperation between Singapore and Kazakhstan in trade-route digitalisation and water ma...