The process of selecting Turing started when we asked the UK public to “Think Science” and put forward nominations for scientists they would like to see appear on a banknote. We had an overwhelming response, with nearly 250,000 members of the public making a nomination. I’m glad that so many of you wanted to be a part of this process. There's something of the character of a nation in its money, and we are right to consider and celebrate the people on our banknotes. We were aided in the selection process by our Banknote Character Advisory Committee, made up of seven external members and two members of Bank staff. The Committee had the unenviable task of narrowing down the nearly 1,000 unique nominations to a shortlist of just 12. Each of those on the shortlist were hugely significant in their own right, and collectively the shortlist celebrates the important contributions scientists have made to our nation's history, and indeed, our leading position in scientific research. However, it was Alan Turing who was ultimately selected. I’d like to reflect on why that was. I think, at the root, it’s because Alan represents something of which we’re all very proud. Even if we can’t precisely articulate the reason. I believe that part of the answer lies in him being someone who, not content with abstract ideas, applied himself to the physical embodiment of those ideas. And from his sheer force of will, came enormous leaps of progress.
I therefore wish to implore Bank of China to continue playing an effective role and stimulate economic activity by providing well structured financial products and services, especially those aimed at boosting growth in key sectors such as mining, energy, tourism, manufacturing and agriculture. However, in order to achieve this, there is need for Bank of China and other commercial banks to do more in terms of reducing lending interest rates and influence the safe expansion of private sector credit and at the same time contribute to the reduction of the cost of doing business in Zambia. The current environment of relatively low inflation and stable exchange rate offer a good opportunity for lowering commercial banks’ lending interest rates. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me conclude by further challenging Bank of China (Zambia) Limited to expand beyond one branch and broaden its customer base and operations swiftly in order to consolidate the gains that have been achieved over the last 10 years. I thank you. 2  BIS Review 36/2007