The German Industry Association for Optical, Medical and Mechatronic Technologies (Deutscher Industrieverband für optische, medizinische und mechatronische Technologien) expects a growth of more than 10% for 2006. Thus, besides the double-figure growth in exports, a positive trend has also appeared inside the country. It is expected that the overall turnover of the 2,910 businesses will climb to a value of 43.6 b Euro. Foreign turnover is forecast to grow by 14% to 26.4 b Euro. With 17.2 b Euro, the inland turnover is also expected to grow substantially (5%). The growth in this segment of industry will result in a positive employment impulse with an assumed increase of employees by 1% to approximately 295 000. These optimistic industry estimates have been fed especially by the positive development in German medicinal technology. This segment expects a growth of turnover of 11% to 16.3 b Euro.