Job fair: Financial Secretary John Tsang (centre) and Secretary for Development Carrie Lam (right) tour the career expo at Central Library.

A career expo introducing infrastructure-related employment opportunities provided by the Government and private organisations will run at the Central Library until March 26, offering 1,000 professional and technician vacancies.

Opening the job fair today Financial Secretary John Tsang said people specialising in different sectors of the construction industry can obtain useful information at the expo and find suitable jobs.

"The Government's principle is not to cut down expenditure amid the economic downturn and revenue reduction. On the contrary, we will create more job opportunities in all aspects to benefit people from various sectors by increasing internal demand and promoting infrastructure investment," Mr Tsang said.

"Among various measures to create jobs, the large-scale infrastructure projects are the most effective way to achieve the aim. The Government will promote the 10 major infrastructure projects and other medium-sized or small projects.

"The estimated capital works expenditure for 2009-10 will be as high as $39.3 billion, an increase of 71% over the $23 billion in 2008-09. About 47,000 jobs will be created while the Housing Authority will also create an extra 10,000 jobs."

Building sector work

On building maintenance and repair, the Development Bureau, the Housing Society and the Urban Renewal Authority will allocate $1 billion to jointly organise a two-year Operation Building Bright project which will create about 10,000 jobs in the coming two years.

"There will be a continuous increase in the number of such works in the years ahead. The annual capital works expenditure will further increase and may reach $50 billion," he said.

With the launching of the 10 major infrastructure projects and others such as the implementation of the Greening Master Plans, building maintenance scheme and the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme, the Government and the construction industry will offer more new jobs.

Mr Tsang called on the public to co-operate in responding to the financial tsunami. He believed Hong Kong people can create a better tomorrow with close co-operation among the Government, employers and staff.