People admitted under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme invested $5.618 billion in local real estate last year, representing 1.1% of the total value of all real estate transactions in Hong Kong, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee says.

Mr Lee told lawmakers today of the $5.618 billion, $5.256 billion was spent on residential properties, representing 1.2% of the total value of all such transactions, while the remainder was invested in industrial and commercial property.

In 2008, entrants' investment amounted to $3.204 billion, 0.8% of the total value of all real estate transactions. Of that amount, $3.03 billion was spent on residences.

Analysis of the approved cases in December last year showed more than 70% of the principal applicants were aged 35 to 50.

Prior to 2009 there were 3,347 principal applicants coming to Hong Kong through the scheme, while 886 successful principal applicants were approved under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme quota. For the latter scheme, a recent survey showed 26% of these migrants engaged in the financial and accounting services sector, 19% in commerce and trade, 14% in information technology and telecommunications, and 11% in academic research and education.