He repeated his intention to replace "private finance initiative" (PFI) projects - the scheme for involving private-sector contractors in public sector infrastructure projects first introduced under John Major - with a new approach that would enable taxpayers to benefit from the profits of such ventures.
The finance secretary said his plans would create jobs and support business, as well as keep up spending on infrastructure projects and public sector reform.
With GDP growth reaching 8% last year and with the government increasingly handing over infrastructure projects to the private sector, the Bukaka boss can expect plenty of busy years ahead.
John Armstrong of the Construction Employers Federation said he believed Stormont ministers should invest further money in "capital infrastructure projects" to help the construction sector.
Giving evidence to the sustainable committee on 25 November 2010, Jane Davidson AM said that a 28% cut over three years in the funding for infrastructure projects would impact negatively on private sector investment.
Having watched losses soar on the Channel Tunnel project, the private sector is rightly wary of handling huge infrastructure projects on its own.
Any moves to challenge existing contracts will undermine private sector confidence, jeopardising future investment in crucial infrastructure projects.
This dispute does seem more serious than the Treasury's habitual battles with the private sector over rewards that are acceptable for large infrastructure projects where consumers (you and me) end up paying.
The CBI leader said the government should bring forward certain infrastructure projects, which would "leverage" billions of pounds of private sector investment.
Many infrastructure projects, from roads to power plants, are stalled or reliant on public-sector customers which are bust in all but name and which enjoy uncertain backing from the state.
If the new French president "gets his way and we enter a golden era of infrastructure spending someone in the private sector will have to provide the material and technical skills to deliver the projects on time and in good order, " said Stephen Pope, managing partner at Spotlight Ideas.
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