... the Asean region (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). It represents a market volume of 3.9 billion euros. The Japanese dominate the market, not least because the Japanese automotive industry has a strong local presence. Japan supplies around half of the imported machine tools. Germany only accounts for 4%. Nevertheless, German exports to the region have risen sharply in recent years. Most recently, they amounted to over 150 million euros. "Greater commitment is therefore worthwhile," concludes VDW Chairman Heinz-Jürgen Prokop.