The gross output of the construction sector was $170.1 billion last year, down 10.9% on 2002, the Census & Statistics Department says.

Gross operating surplus, equal to gross output less total operating expenditure, fell 1.9% to $7 billion. The proportion of gross operating surplus in gross output was 4.1%, up 3.7%. The gross output performed by establishments engaged in real estate development, leasing, brokerage and maintenance management services was $78.3 billion, down 6.6%.

The gross operating surplus of these establishments taken together fell 12% to $41.6 billion. The proportion of gross operating surplus in gross output was 53.2%, down from 56.5%.

The total number of private building projects ever operated was 265. Among them, 110 were on Hong Kong Island, 76 in Kowloon and 79 in the New Territories and outlying islands. As at the end of 2003, 179 projects, which will together provide 9.4 million square metres of gross floor area, were under construction.

For establishments engaged in architectural, surveying and project engineering services, gross output was $10.8 billion, down 1.7%. The gross operating surplus of these establishments taken together fell 8.6% from a year earlier to $500 million. The proportion of gross operating surplus in gross output was 4.7%, lower than the previous year's 5%.