•  They will enable us to maximise the benefits of digital and mobile technologies – reap enormous cost efficiencies and extend our reach and understanding. And it is this spirit of openness and collaboration in innovation that will help create a Smart Financial Centre. We have only just begun. Thank you. 6  BIS central bankers’ speeches
To this end, the functions of the Asian office have evolved and expanded over time – from organisation of meetings and seminars to conducting research, to providing dealing and banking services. And the office has grown from a start-up staff of six to its current 33. We are celebrating this occasion in this lovely restaurant above the Star Ferry – which is an icon in Hong Kong and a symbol of quality and value-for-money service. The BIS Asian office is also a "STAR" entity. The word "STAR" has been chosen carefully and with good reason – each letter of the word symbolises and embodies the excellence of BIS' activities: S:  Surveillance – The Asian office is clearly a star performer in its surveillance work on regional economic and financial developments. This is self-evident from reading the background notes prepared on the region for various BIS and regional central bank meetings. T:  Topical studies and research – The Asian office, with its pool of economists and financial experts, is well placed to conduct research. Under the auspices of the Asian research programme initiated in 2006, many topics that are of interest and relevance to Asian central banks have been, and continue to be, explored and developed. The BIS has made important contributions in this area, with its research providing useful information and insight for policymakers in the region.