The gross output of the construction sector was $148.2 billion last year, up 3.5% on 2006, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Gross operating surplus, equal to gross output less total operating expenditure, rose 11% to $7.9 billion. The proportion of gross operating surplus in gross output was 5.3%, up 5%.

The value added of the construction sector - a measure of its contribution to GDP - was $42.4 billion last year, up 6.2% on 2006.

The gross output performed by establishments engaged in real estate development, leasing, brokerage and maintenance management services was $106.9 billion, up 15.6%. Their gross operating surplus fell 12% to $41.6 billion. The proportion of gross operating surplus in gross output was 53.2%, down from 56.5%.

The value added of these establishments taken together was $79.9 billion, up 17.4% from a year earlier.

The total number of private building projects ever operated was 204. Among them, 67 were on Hong Kong Island, 72 in Kowloon and 65 in the New Territories and outlying islands. As at the end of 2007, 154 projects, which will together provide 7 million square metres of gross floor area, were under construction.

For establishments engaged in architectural, surveying and project engineering services, gross output was $8.9 billion, up 2.2%. The gross operating surplus of these establishments taken together fell 24.8% from a year earlier to $700 million. The proportion of gross operating surplus in gross output was 7.7%, lower than the previous year's 10.4%.

The value added of these establishments taken together was $5.8 billion, up 2.9% on 2006.