The number of jobs created by six local service sectors under the Closer Economic Arrangement Partnership will rise from 1,900 last year to about 7,200 this year. These sectors will also bring Hong Kong an additional investment of $4.2 billion, Secretary for Commerce, Industry & Technology John Tsang says.

Among the new jobs, 6,800 will be created locally while the remaining 480 will be in the Mainland. They will boost opportunities for the middle-aged unemployed, he added.

Speaking at an economic forum today, Mr Tsang noted a total of 720 locally registered enterprises have obtained the Certificate of Hong Kong Service Supplier under CEPA.

He noted the six sectors - namely logistics, land passenger transport, advertising, tourism, telecommunications and distributive trade - made an additional $2 billion investment in the Minland last year, leading to a surge of $1.5 billion in local export trade value. These sectors had also invested an additional $1 billion here.

68 Mainland firms approved to invest in HK

At the end of December, 68 Mainland enterprises had been approved to invest in Hong Kong. About 42.5% of the enterprises came to Hong Kong between August and December, and their investment reached US$470 million.

Meanwhile, a number of agreements on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the Mainland and Hong Kong have been reached to help local professionals to expand their markets.

Mr Tsang said CEPA has promoted the development of Hong Kong's economy and brought additional jobs, adding its scope has been broadened and deepened.

He stressed Hong Kong will serve as the Mainland's service centre and offer a two-way platform for businesses to open up opportunities, adding details of CEPA III are being worked out and will be announced sometime in October.

The Government is now seeking views from the trade on the scope of CEPA III, and discussions with the Ministry of Commerce will take place in the middle of the year.