Bernard Charles Photo: Liang Fei/GT

French 3D software maker Dassault Systemes expects to continue to see rapid growth in China despite a slowdown in the overall economy, as the demand for advanced technologies is significant in the country, the head of the company said at the Boao Forum on Friday.

"We are not concerned with that [the slowdown in China's economy]," Bernard Charles, CEO of Dassault Systemes, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview at the Boao Forum.

He noted that the company's products aim to reduce costs and facilitate innovation, which is why he still sees great potential in China.

The Chinese government now attaches great importance to innovation as it seeks to further upgrade its industrial structure.

"It is time for China not only to produce more but also to produce better," he said, noting that this is the value of 3D simulation technology.

The company reported total revenue of around $3 billion in 2014, up 15 percent year-on-year. Europe is still the largest market of the company, contributing around 42 percent of its revenue and around 29 percent was from America and Asia respectively, according to Charles.

Charles noted that the growth rate in China is usually twice the worldwide growth rate. But at present, China is only the third-largest market for Dassault Systemes in Asia, after South Korea and Japan, he noted.

The 3D simulation software of Dassault Systemes has been used in many sectors, such as aerospace, automobile, energy and machinery manufacturing.

The company has been a partner of Tesla in the automaker's product design and manufacturing.

"Top management of Chinese companies have been quite open to advanced technologies," said Charles.

He also noted that nearly all the big names in China's auto industry, such as BYD, Changan Automobile and Great Wall Motor, are also clients of the company.

Charles noted that 3D technology is crucial to boosting the development of 3D printing, which has been used in many sectors such as auto-making and healthcare.

But China now only accounts for around 4 percent of the world's overall 3D printing sector, compared with 71 percent for the US, industry insiders said at the Boao Forum.