About 10,000 catering employees will have their jobs preserved with the help of the Government low-interest Loan Guarantee Scheme for SARS-impacted industries.

So far about 440 applications, with loans amounting to $250 million, have been approved under the scheme.

Permanent Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Matthew Cheung said concerted efforts of employers, employees and the Government helped tide the catering industry over during its most difficult period in the last 30 years, and enabled swift response to alleviate SARS' unprecedented impact on the trade.

To help workers employed in sectors hit hard by SARS, the Government earmarked $210 million to implement the Skills Enhancement Project, which offers 15,000 training places for those who are temporarily suspended from employment without pay.

The scheme was well received by the catering industry, with more than 3,500 training places allocated for employees in the industry. Over 1,200 employees have completed training.

A number of training and job-creation initiatives have also been introduced to help people secure employment, such as the Re-employment Training Programme for the middle-aged, the District Employment Programme for the middle-aged and the Graduate Employment Training Scheme. About 15,500 people will benefit from the programmes.

Mr Cheung said that the solution to unemployment lies in the overall revival of the economy. To this end, the Government has launched various measures to stimulate economic development, improve the business environment and attract investors and tourists.

CEPA and the "free individual visit" arrangements for Mainland residents will also bring Hong Kong more business opportunities, he added.