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The Photonics Sector is an essential industry in Europe and Asia as it is an “enabling technology”. This means, it is the base for all technological developments. The European share of the world market for optical technologies is about 20-30 % but it is facing tough competition from the USA and the Far East. The European Industry Germany is one of the world market leaders in the Photonics Industry. The Industry in Germany generated a revenue of 4 billion Euro in 2002. In Europe, there is a current shortage of Optical Technology specialists and skilled personnel which could hinder the growth of optical technology. The German optical industry is made up mainly of small and medium-sized companies. Well above half of all German inventions come from small and medium-sized companies - a finding that is particularly true for the optical technologies. On the other hand, some of the key global players in optical technologies, such as Zeiss, Trumpf, and Siemens are based in Germany. In 2005, an estimation of the optics and photonics field in France reports about 800 companies, employing more than 30000 people and with 10 billion euros of sales. There are a few big groups and a majority of dynamic and innovative SME. The Optics Valley (Paris area) represents about 50 % of the French optics industry. Some other clusters are "specialized"; for instance, Grenoble (Rhone-Alpes cluster) is regrouping a lot of optical companies in the field of microelectronics. Import Market In 2002, approximately 700 m Euro of laser technology was imported to Germany, mostly from Asia and North America. Not included are other optical technologies and products which already contain lasers. Exports In 2002, Germany exported laser technology products with an estimated value of 1,2 billion Euro, mostly to the EU and Asia. Not included in this estimation are other optical technologies and products which already contain lasers. Trends in the Photonics Industry in Germany Optical technologies are a discipline in which the Germans excel and in which they not only have a long tradition, but also look forward to a prosperous future. Today, Photonics is the number 1 innovation driver. Worldwide sales of optical technologies currently total some 80 billion dollars. By 2013, the figure is expected to reach 500 billion dollars. And Germany is up front in the field: German laser producers hold a 40% share of the world market for laser-beam sources for use in industrial production. To ensure that the Germans continue as key players, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) will be putting 280 million euros behind the development of such technologies until 2006. Especially Laser Technology has a fast potential in industrial applications, and the demand for laser machining systems in Europe has followed a distinct upward trend since mid 1994. Germany accounts for the largest market potential for Laser Technology in Europe. The market of Lasers has an estimated growth rate over the next years of 5-10% annually. Production figures are double that amount, emphasizing Germany's outstanding position as Europe's largest export nation. Scientists explore more and more application fields for Laser Technology. Germany is known the world over for its high standards of scientific research and development. Several non profit scientific organizations like the well known Max-Planck-Gesellschaft and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft have been enhancing the advancement of applied research for years, in particular in the field of diode-pumped solid-state lasers. Together with the different Networks of Competence for optical technologies and laser technology scattered around Germany, they making sure that the innovative engine doesn't splutter.