David Cameron has promised an "all-out mission" to kick-start major infrastructure projects and get the economy moving.
The Prime Minister said he had given the go-ahead for two power plants in the north of England that will create 1,000 construction jobs.
He also welcomed news that BT will complete its roll-out of superfast broadband by 2014 - generating work for 500 more engineers. More announcements are expected over the coming months.
Writing in the Financial Times, Mr Cameron admitted that the eurozone crisis was having a "chilling effect" on global growth and he warned there were "no short-cuts to success".
But he urged people to be optimistic, warning that pessimism and fear "can become self-fulfilling prophecies".
"The eurozone crisis has had a chilling effect on major economies around the world, and has added to the unprecedented pressures facing the global economy," the premier wrote.
"But, in spite of the difficulties, I am confident that we can both resolve the crises at hand and come through them with an economy that is stronger and fundamentally fairer."
He added: "I passionately believe that the global economy is presenting us with opportunities, not threats - and we must seize them."