Japanese producers can expect their worldwide sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to rise 14.1% to about 939bn yen ($8.2bn) in fiscal 1999 which ends on March 31 next year, according to projections by the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan.
Despite the continuing effects of reduced capital spending by chipmakers, the need to trim production costs is projected to boost demand for new equipment. Sales in Japan, including imports, are expected to grow 7.4% to 477.3bn yen ($4.2bn). There will be a much larger jump of 75% in sales of equipment for making LCD panels to 129.9bn yen ($1.13bn) in fiscal 1999, the association forecasts, and says there will be an annual growth rate of 36% through 2002.
