The announcement could hardly have come at a worse time for German industry.

In some ways, the stakes for German industry are higher.

Following that, he was a researcher in German industry for ten years.

He was an advocate of an independent German nuclear industry.

After the absorption period has gone through, that will put German industry in a very strong position.

For the first time since 1992, German industry is not struggling through a recession.

But German industry now insists that its $2.8 billion offer is final.

The integrated market should improve the efficiency of German industry, they say.

"How will the international competitiveness of German industry be guaranteed?"

German industry and the government will each pay $2.5 billion to the fund.