The results are based on an industry survey conducted by the German Microtechnology Network IVAM. Despite the weakening global economy, Brexit and trade conflicts, there are no major deviations from the past years. More than 80% of companies surveyed expect to increase their turnover in the next three years. Moreover, a majority of companies plan to create new jobs during the same period. Increasing the export ratio is also on the agenda of many respondents in the medium term. According to IVAM, the medical technology and the healthcare sectors stand to benefit most from the sustained upswing. More and more European microtechnology companies are also intensifying their trade relations with China.

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) even regards microelectronics as systemically important and one of the sectors driving digital innovation. The Ministry is putting in place a framework program to optimize research funding and coordinate it with European measures.