LONDON: A new Singapore Centre has been formally opened in London, representing a new way to promote Singapore's presence in overseas locations, allowing the country's agencies to respond quickly to new business opportunities.

The Singapore Centre is a one-stop shop that brings together Singapore's Economic Development Board, Tourism Board and Maritime and Port Authority under one roof.

Integrating Singapore's overseas economic agencies is designed to achieve greater cooperation, helping them respond more quickly to new business opportunities, while projecting the country's interests around the globe.

The new office also hopes to drive down operational costs.

"We have the agencies together; they can mutually support one another. But more importantly it's to provide good service to people who visit the centre,” said Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang.

He added that the agencies provide a full range of services, “whether it's investment opportunities, employment opportunities or just visiting Singapore.”

The London centre is the fourth and largest consolidation so far of the overseas offices.

More Singapore Centres are planned to help bolster Singapore's international presence globally. - CNA/ac