In the context of DLIC's theme "Competitiveness and Development for Growth," Karim, in highlighting the significance of the "future workforce" (students) in national competitiveness, attempted also to cite the very crucial link he saw between productivity and prosperity.He said: "Nations grow or stagnate, not on the strength of resources they possess but based on their ability to construct competitive environments that nurture successful companies, businesses and industries and effectively mobilise available labour to obtain maximum value from their resources."