Most of Hong Kong's business sectors expect a boost in both the volume and output in the fourth quarter, according to a survey released by Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department on Monday.

These include the manufacturing, wholesale and retail, the import and export trade, the restaurants and hotels, the transport and related services, the banks, financing and insurance, and the real estate, business services and telecommunications sectors.

However, the volume of output in the construction sector is expected to fall.

The department gathered views on the short-term business outlook from the senior management of about 490 prominent establishments in various sectors, from Sept. 13 to Oct. 4.

In manufacturing, respondents expect an increase in their volume of production. However, respondents generally expect their employment to remain broadly unchanged or to rise. For selling prices, respondents generally expect them to remain broadly unchanged or to fall.

In construction, respondents expect a fall in the volume of construction output and expect their employment to remain broadly unchanged or fall. Almost all respondents expect tender prices to remain unchanged or to fall.

In wholesale and retail, respondents expect sales volume to rise, along with their employment and selling prices.

In import and export, respondents expect a rise in sales volume, and expect employment to remain broadly unchanged or to rise, while selling prices are expected to remain broadly unchanged or to fall.

For restaurants and hotels, respondents expect a rise in business volume and employment. The prices of food and services are expected to remain unchanged or to rise.

In the transport and related services sector, respondents expect a rise in business volume and employment. Service prices are expected to remain unchanged.

For banks, financing and insurance, respondents expect a rise in business volume and employment, while prices for services rendered will increase.

In the real estate sector, business services and telecommunications sector, significantly more respondents expect a rise in business volume. Also, more respondents expect their employment to increase and prices of services rendered to remain unchanged or to rise.