Q: What is the technology focus of German companies at the show? Maiser: German companies here on the show focus basically on back end systems and components like placements systems, and handling and bonding equipment. Automated production test and inspection equipment are also highlights of the German pavilion. More and more companies at the show have also diversified into semiconductor and photovoltaics or PV – which is a boom market in Europe at the moment. Q: Tell us about the impact of environmental legislation on the global electronics industry. Maiser: Environmental legislation in the EU triggered lead free news production, which continues to have a big impact on the electronics industry. China, Korea and other Asian countries have followed suit with their own RoHS legislation. Of course, one has to be very careful that these legislations are not killing production or products from one day to another, nor setting up barriers in a highly competitive market. That is what we try to educate administrations about. On the other hand, although at first it seems hard to make the move into green production and changing well-established production processes, I believe it pays off in the long run. European companies are competitive with green solutions today because theyare well prepared. Q: How has the global economic slowdown affected German companies in Asia? Maiser: The global economic slowdown has showed up Asia as a stronghold for consumer and investment goods. After having a very strong 2007 for German mechanical engineering with double-digit growth for the first time in 38 years at 11 percent, we still expect this growth to continue in 2008 at 5 percent. Mechanical engineering in Germany employs 900,000 people and has a turnover of more than 180 billion euros. The country is the No.1 machine exporter worldwide with an export ratio that is more than 75 percent. Asian countries account for a quarter of our exports and is a very strongoverseas market for us. | 
