Command of technology and the capacity in innovate are two factors which will determine the success of a country in the context of the modern economy, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said last night.

He said the modern economy was different from the traditional economy where land, labour and capital were important factors.

Najib said that with the command of knowledge and cutting- edge skills, a country would be endowed with a workforce which can raise productivity to a higher level.

"We need to find ways to improve our capacity building in the context of fulfilling national objectives,? he said at the Prime Minister's Golden Hand Awards 2007 in conjunction with the 17th Malaysian Skills Competition organized by the Works Ministry in Kuala Lumpur.

Najib said that in the context of the modern economy, two important elements would determine the success of a country, namely strong work ethics and precision.

 He said this could spur the nation to compete in the globalised world which was full of challenged.

He said precision was important as in technology, the measurement was no longer in inches, for example, but rather in minute measurements, such as in nano technology.

On work ethics, he said a country which aspired to succeed  must instill a strong work culture and ethics among its employees.

The Prime Minister's Golden Hand Award 2007 was won by GiatMara Sdn Bhd.