Global semiconductor sales hit $11.16 billion in March, an increase of 6.7 per cent on the same month last year, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. That figure also represents a rather less impressive 2.4 per cent increase on February's sales. The Association cited the improving Asian market as the key factor in the increase -- sales in Japan were up 8.1 per cent and 11.8 per cent in Asia Pacific, compared to 4.8 per cent and 3.2 per cent for the Americas and Europe, respectively. ®