The Financial Post reports in its Wednesday, July 8, edition that against a backdrop of slowing economic growth at home, Canadian companies are actively looking to expand in markets such as the United States, China and Mexico, says HSBC Bank chief executive officer Simon Cooper. The Post's Barbara Shecter writes that Mr. Cooper says, "In Canada, from the companies I'm talking to about how they're looking directionally for growth, NAFTA and the growth in China both represent significant opportunities." Economic growth in both Canada and China has clearly slowed, but the projected 7.1-per-cent growth rate in China is still a "very big" number, says Mr. Cooper. Capital for corporate expansion is flowing to areas where there is growth. Mr. Cooper says, "We remain very bullish on the long-term growth of China." He says Canadian corporate clients such as H2O Innovation and Global Relay Communications have already begun to expand in the NAFTA "corridor" and beyond. In Canada, HSBC expects interest rates to be cut to boost confidence and stimulate economic growth in the region. HSBC economists are predicting the overnight rate will drop to 0.5 per cent in the third quarter and 0.25 per cent by the end of the year.