CORRECTED - CORRECTED-Chip gear makers see 2 pct sales decline in 2008

(Corrects headline to 2008 from 2007)

TOKYO, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Semiconductor equipment makers now expect global sales to fall about 2 percent in calendar 2008, an industry group said on Tuesday.

The Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International's consensus outlook compares with a previous forecast for 2008 of a 6.5 percent rise.

For 2007, the group, which comprises the world's leading makers of machines used to make microchips, now expects sales to grow 3 percent, compared to a previous forecast of 1.1 percent growth. (Reporting by Nathan Layne)